10/13/08

EAT AND DRINK AT THE BAR

by FIRE4ME2

The Bar is the best thing going for the place. The bartenders are the best and the happy hour bar menue is a real treat. The restaurant needs some work a few years ago it was the best We went 2 or 3 times a month the past 3 or 4 times we went Not so good The steak was very grissly and chewy and chicken was DRY DRY DRY Not what I expected. The vegetable were barely warm and overcooked. I was really hoping for much better food and hope they improve to whrere they used to be in quality.

Stick to the Bar it is always good A+++.

• Pros: THE BAR
• Cons: The Food

01/17/08

Worst steak I've ever had!

by nitropress

The Broiler is a Sacramento institution that has recently been making a big effort to draw new customers - street signs, general presence. They should concentrate on improving the food and service instead, because I can't imagine anyone coming back a second time. The reservation went smoothly and they were careful to point out how to find their free parking (a great rarity downtown!) The parking is indeed convenient and free. We were seated promptly and drinks arrived within a few minutes, but that's the last thing that happened quickly. We were in a small side room and the waitress seemed to have one too many zones to cover, so her appearances were a bit far in between. The appetizers (good) and salads (ordinary) took a long time to be served, then, before we'd even gotten a good start on the salad, the entrees arrived. Timing food to tables is a hallmark of a well-run restaurant, so this was not a good sign. I had ordered their signature porterhouse, a $45, 30-ounce monster, and the waitress was concerned that they wouldn't be able to get all the red out because of its thickness. It arrived a half-inch thick and looking as if it had been cooked in a microwave - gray, greasy, no browning or crust at all. It was utterly tasteless and ended up being about 25% gristle and fat. Some "extra" is to be expected on a large steak, but the leftover pile was surprisingly large. (I'm not a fussy trimmer, either.) As we were short on time I just ate it, but it took liberal salting to bring out any flavor at all. It would have been disappointing at Sizzler or Denny's - but from an expensive traditional steakhouse, it was shockingly bad. My wife ordered the signature chicken dish and left half of it behind - it was "just okay." Absolutely not recommended. There are a dozen other restaurants within a few blocks, and most are much better than this at lower prices.

• Pros: Free parking, generous drinks, okay ambience, great evening location.
• Cons: Extremely substandard food, indifferent service, expensive.

04/24/05

Old school charm

by villageperson

We felt like we'd traveled back in time when we dined recently at The Broiler. The service is classy, charming and brings a smile to your face. The food, especially the steaks, are excellent, as are the Caesar salad, oysters and generous wine list. The only drawback for us was the obnoxiously noisy, liquored-up party next to our booth - the relatively small dining room doesn't offer much privacy or seclusion if you want a quiet, romantic evening.

• Pros: Exquisite steak, melt-in-mouth oysters, classy service
• Cons: Smallish dining room, ordinary atmosphere