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

03/12/05

Pleasant

by gelid

Being one of the few fine dining locales in walking vicinity of my hotel, I decided to try it. The dimly-lit interior was easy on the eyes and the traditional décor promised a quiet meal. The server, an elderly gentleman, was very courteous and returned multiple times to check on things. The hostess was also very friendly and sat the two of us in a spacious booth. Entrée wasn't necessarily creative but nicely done nevertheless. It was very good, but lacked the certain luster that causes one to define it as "special."

• Pros: Service

A 50-year-old Sac institution moves from meat and potatoes to swanky steak and seafood.

by Contributor

The Scene
White table linens, dim lighting, comfortable booths and antique-looking chairs and paintings create an appealing atmosphere for sophisticated diners, business lunchers and romantic couples. The extensive menu offers not only great steak, but plenty of seafood and chicken as well.

The Food
Feast on juicy, tender and delicious steaks, made with the finest aged Washington beef. Add a finishing touch to your steak in the form of sauteed peppers with onions and cracked pepper, or wild mushrooms in cognac-butter sauce. Non-meat eaters will enjoy the enticing pasta, chicken and seafood options. Spicy blackened catfish with a cilantro, lime and sun-dried tomato butter is served over creamy polenta. Mixed greens are topped with potent blue cheese and tossed with a light chardonnay vinaigrette. Skip the lukewarm goat cheese souffle served with a few cold cucumber slices.

03/08/04

Dissapointed

by barrywkane

The steak was very grissly and chewy. Not what I expected. Potatoes and vegetable were barely warm and vegetables were overcooked. I was really hoping for much better food and hope they improve to whrere they used to be in quality.

• Pros: Nice space, Good lunch location
• Cons: , service

01/01/04

What happened?

by criticaleye

I heard such good things, wanted to try it out. From the host to the service to the food, I was very dissapointed. Save yourself some cash and go to the Sizzler.

09/23/03

Snooty for No Reason

by cramann

This restaurant has a pretentious vibe to it. The owner is often at the front desk and is not to pleasant. Have lunched there on business plenty of times and the one time I complained about my rare steak sandwich that should have been medium well she shrugged her shoulders and offered to cook it some more. Dish I used to love was Chicken Patricia, but they changed it and it hasn't been the same - texture and warmth indicate it may be microwaved before serving. Blech. Salads are good - champagne vinaigrette is nice as is the Shrimp Louis.

They do treat you second class if you do not have a reservation. Place will be empty and they will still ask you if you have a reservation. Why?

08/26/03

The Broiler in Sacramento

by nowcurran

Two Bad experiences.

#1. Called for reservations and was told it would not be necessary. Upon arrival I was aske for my "reservation" name. They wouldn't let us in with out a reservation.

#2. As a couple, we were with two other couples. All of us were looking for a good steak. No one was happy with the quality of their meal. I rejected my "prime rib" as it was a round piece of meat that had been advertised as a 14 oz cut, but was less than a half inch and unable to cut like a piece of rubber. The waiter exchanged for a fillet, which looked like it had been cut into by someone.

Maybe it was sent back previously also.

• Pros: ambiance pleasant, waiter friendly, convenient parking
• Cons: over priced, poor quality, poor communication

02/16/03

disappointed

by smithclan

I was looking forward to taking my husband to The Broiler based on the reviews I had read and was extremely disappointed. The service was absolutely awful and we definetely will not be going back.