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Comment Archives: Locations: Restaurants: Steakhouse
Re: “Neil Jordan's Steakhouse”
As a former food and beverage worker, I was not impressed with Neil Jordan's. There is a bit of a disconnect as to what this restaurant is trying to achieve. First, signs flaunt "flip-flop friendly" and "$2 Yuengling", yet steaks flaunt USDA Prime and a $7 side baked potato. Figure out your niche and go with it. Either you are a casual bar-restaurant, or you are fine dining. If you are going the casual route, drop the high prices for decent enough food and mediocre service. If you are looking to be fine dining, get rid of the room full of televisions and get your servers trained.
I will say that the food was cooked properly, but that it was nothing out of the ordinary. Sides are basic, steaks are hard to mess up, and only the specials show-cased any of the talent the kitchen might have. Step up the creativity in this tough market!
In regards to the front of house, I've seen a manager/owner only one of the times we dined in. Other than that, when I came on the weekend, the servers appeared frazzled and the owner was drinking at the bar?! Table maintanence was lacking and our server had little to none wine knowledge. This will not get you by in today's time, and my wife and I will not be back for another round.
Re: “Neil Jordan's Steakhouse”
Excellent Food, Wonderful Service, Gracious Host. Refreshing old school throwback restaurant that really can not be beat! At least not in the sea of fried foods and chain restaurants that are all over Mt. P. Highly recommend brunch and dinner here. I have eaten here 8 times now and never been let down.
Re: “Halls Chophouse”
"RickFriday" rides again...I smell a rat, or a mole.
Re: “Halls Chophouse”
Amazing steaks and seafood! Have been a few other times and it is getting better and better. The staff was very good! Even spent time again with the owners and they make you feel at home. This is a special place!
Re: “Halls Chophouse”
I just went to Halls with my girlfriend and can tell you that we will never be back. As we walked in we were greeted by the host who was very nice at first, but then became very intrusive. Small talk is one thing, but question after proding question starts to get a little annoying. We were led upstairs and sat down to await our server. The service, I mean server, was fantastic. Before our dinner arrived, the creepy host came up to us once again and asked us what we ordered. We were then interrupted by another gentleman (possibly a manager) who started asking off-the-wall questions. Once our food arrived and we had started eating, an older gentleman (I believe the owner) kindly asked us how our dinner was. We acknowledged that it was great, and he was on his way. This was the only question that seemed fitting for our dining experience.
HERE IS THE KICKER...
As we paid our bill and were walking out the door, the wacko host comes walking out the door after us. Again with the questioning. He says, "how was the food?" I respond, "it was great." He says, "what did you order?" I respond, "the burger." I was definately being short with him - our dinner was over and we were already out of the restaurant. He then asks, "was something wrong?" I said, "actually, you were a little intrusive." He says, "I was being friendly and that's the way I'll always be." I'm still trying to walk away, and he is following us down King Street. I was fed up and gave him the finger. As he gets up in my face, he asks, "what are you going to do?" I asked him, "what are you going to do." He said, "nothing." Then I said get back in your fucking restaurant where you belong.
Bravo, Mr. Host, Bravo! Hope you're fired immediately!
Re: “Halls Chophouse”
Don't wast your money! The staff was way weird.. all in your face.. trying uncomfortably hard to make a good impression.. Reservation was made for 8:00 party of 4..Our guests were visiting Charelston from out of town. Table wasnt ready so they directed us to the bar. After 30 minutes, the owner came over and said it would be a few more mintes. After another 20 minutes (total wait time of 50 minutes - now close to 9:00) he said "it will be another few minutes. You know you're in a good resturant when you have to wait". Like - are you kidding me??? How about an apology..?? Finally at 9:10pm we got our table. After we ordered, the food wasnt all that. The steak was ordered medium, it came extremely rare. Sent it back & it came back still under cooked. Nobody was crazy about the food.. it was below average. Go to High Cotton for a much better meal.
Re: “Halls Chophouse”
Great spot! Staff was very hospitable. Food was great. Hot and on time. Very good atmosphere in the restaurant. Spent some time with the owners and they could not have been nicer. Will be back many times
Re: “Halls Chophouse”
After being invited by a friend to Hall's, my husband and I were more than pleased with the amazing service and lovely atmosphere. I was happy to have a great time with good friends in a place not overpopulated with college kids. We enjoyed the food and music. We were warmly greeted and enjoyed great interaction with the family/owners as well as some of the other staff. The food was fantastic! Halls has become our new favorite place and we have already gone back twice!
Re: “Halls Chophouse”
We went to Halls for half price burger Sunday. First of all, the burger was decent but was cooked all the way through when we had asked for medium-rare. The fries were actually good, however. The problem I had with this place is that they almost made us feel bad for ordering the burger. Why have half-priced burger day when you are going to make your customers feel bad for ordering just that? We were repeatedly asked if we were "sure" that's what we wanted. We went there specifically for a trial run since the menu is normally very pricey. This was the opportunity to test the waters without having an outrageous bill. Between the staff's immaturity and the just-ok burger, we will not return. I understand that Hall's may have great steaks, but please try to tone down the attitude.
Re: “Halls Chophouse”
Went to Hall's recently with two other couples, and, well, it simply does not deliver on its promise.
If you are going to posture yourself as a top-flight steak house, with prices to match, in a recession, you'd better be damn good. Hall's has the look, and some of the goods, but fails in the execution. We had an 8 o'clock reservation on a not-too-busy Saturday night, but still were kept waiting over 50 minutes for our table. I made a comment to one of the three young women idling around the hostess stand, and she just said, "Yeah, but we're just about to seat you." No "sorry" or comped anything for our wait. Even then, we were seated downstairs in the bar area rather than upstairs, making the atmosphere less than palatable as the bar crowd/lounge took over.
The food was good, but not great, especially given the cost. The actual cuts of meat, especially the aged versions, were very good but pricey. $45 for a 14oz ribeye? That is on the high side for cost and light side for the cut...bad combination. Traditional "steakhouse sides" like creamed spinach and mac and cheese were also enjoyable, but, again, the portions seemed small for the price. Our server did not seem very knowledgeable about the meat or wine, and, despite the reviews and obvious presence of the family/owners, we were not really checked on, nor was our long wait addressed. No valet parking or other items associated with a true high-end steakhouse.
I wish them luck, because it seems to me that they are trying to maximize profits to pay for their space. I have no problem paying for an expensive meal/experience. I do have a problem when I feel like I didn't get what I paid for, and that's what it felt like at Hall's. I will not return unless it's on someone else's dime.
Re: “Halls Chophouse”
Completely overrated, overpriced, and filled with King Street bar hoppers. They need a doorman and dress code. Our tab was over $400 and no where close to worth it. They should make it a high end burger joint and bar.
Re: “Halls Chophouse”
Best burgers in all of Charleston! Amazing Oysters Rockefeller and bread pudding. I can't wait to try the steaks!
Re: “Neil Jordan's Steakhouse”
Justin, I happen to hold a degree in finance and make a living in marketing and advertising. Numbers volume is not the name of game when you are talking about a niche product. Thus, putting a high dollar steak joint next to a wal-mart does not make sense as those are not your best potential customers and the stigma of wal-mart will rub off to it's neighbors....which explains the connection that others in this discussion have made.
If you guys go back and review what I actually have said about Neil Jordan's, I have not attacked the restaurant but pointed out that collectively, the other 18 posts say that it's a decent place but the service sucks. I originally offered constructive criticism and then questioned the logic of a statement that you made. This certainly does not warrant the personal attack by the unnamed coward.
Cudos to you though for continuously commenting so that NJ's review stays on on the front page of the CCP website.
Wow, look at that, I just offered up 2 current marketing theories and one analytical summation in one post....how's that for business knowledge?
Re: “Neil Jordan's Steakhouse”
Craig, Surrounding your business with any business or population dense area is naturally going to boost sales. Once again take an econ class but really this is just basic probability, so don't tell me to come on, are you serious? do you have any business sense at all?!
Re: “Neil Jordan's Steakhouse”
Justin, are you trying to say that it was strategic to place Neil Jordan's next to a Wal-Mart? Come on...
Re: “Neil Jordan's Steakhouse”
On another note since we have so economists in the house. The F&B industry is doing very well in this bad economy, people are still taking vacations which goes hand in hand. Try not watching the news everyday and take some time to research these things and make your own judgments; thats called being an adult. I am a server and I am doing just fine financially. And since when does having a walmart in the same shopping center relate with a restaurants credibility. The nicest restaurant in Charleston, which is McCrady's, is right next to a wachovia, does that make it a bad restaurant? You sir are a true clown. And if you had any business sense you would that having a store/stores near your restaurant would probably bring more business, you know that whole population density idea you should have learned in any business class or economics. Lets think before we talk people, this is supposed to be a constructive blog.
Re: “Neil Jordan's Steakhouse”
obviously some of us don't have much expertise in fine dining. Sure $50 for a steak may seem a little high but if you have ever had a truly fresh cut steak from a cattle farmer who also raises the grain that is fed to the cattle you would know it is worth it. Also what kind of cheap asses are you people they are not serving yellow tail by the glass we are talking fine wine from around the world. If your not expecting to drop around $60-$80 on a bottle of wine in a nice restaurant then you are the real idiots. Do yourself a favor and keep going to the Outback because you know nothing about fine dining. At any fine dining restaurant expect to spend at least $100 on 2 people. This is a privately owned restaurant not a franchise, that should tell you all you need to know I mean seriously how many fine dining restaurants are franchises; and if you just thought of the olive garden you should probably still be in grade school. Bottom line is fine dining is expensive because of the caliber of service you can expect, the wonderful food and the extraordinary wine list which takes some time for servers to learn. This is a specialty restaurant that cares about one thing; CUSTOMER SERVICE! So stop being a cheap ass and complaining, this business is harder than you think.
Re: “Neil Jordan's Steakhouse”
First comment was removed...i'll keep reposting.
Hey Nj, I offer this. Jimmy might be an ex-employee and we can discount his opinion easily b/c he might have an agenda. BUT, his is not the only negative review which leads me to believe that you guys have some work to do. I wouldn't pay $40 for a steak no matter if it were laced in gold, nor is my idea of a good time to go and spend $150 for a table of 4 to have dinner, so I am probably not your intended audience. Those who would spend that kind of money are truly looking for the "experience" to make the money worth spending....it doesn't sound like Neil Jordan's is offering that right now.
Good luck and I hope that one day you guys can provide what the Mount Pleasant pretentious are looking for.
Re: “Neil Jordan's Steakhouse”
You have a problem with the corking fee? Why not drink their wine. You are cheap! and have just proven so.
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Re: “Halls Chophouse”
Terrible. Bill was a little too intrusive and overwhelming as we entered Halls. We went for the Sunday night burger special, which no longer exists, even though we called to confirm with the hostess the day before. Moes Crosstown burgers beat Hall's any day. The bartender was more than willing to offer the nightly specials to her friends next to us, but never once were the specials offered to us. How would Bill feel about that?