Black Hide Caxton Street — Restaurant in Brisbane City

We had a quick meal on Wednesday before heading to a show at the entertainment centre. I booked online as it was a last minute decision to done here as we had time restraints... I requested online to preferably be seated upstairs rather than in the lower dining section but unfortunately we were seated in the lower section.. No guests were seated in the upper section so possibly the staff hadn't arrived yet as we had the 5:30 seating or they had a function up there. However being a repeat customer I did see the drastic difference in service downstairs to upstairs we seemed to have one server that was our "main" server but did have multiple people approach our table which is very uncommon in fine dining and I have not experienced this before at Black Hide especially since our server was attentive. Their was still some cutlery being polished right behind where we were seated so the clanging did not make for a fine dining experience.. the downstairs area also just has alot of noise from the bar, kitchen and I find the tables extremely small especially with multiple entrees, water, wine glasses and cutlery. We were also unfortunately sat under the "Tomahawk bell" and although I understand this is possibly a bit of a "status ego" thing to ring the bell when delivering to the customer there is other steaks on the menu that work out more expensive per serve to order which we were eating and this ringing of the bell just seems tacky maybe it wouldn't have bothered me if not being seated so close to the bell but it just seemed very "Lone Star / Hogs breath" not fine dining. I have always found this establishment to be very aware of presentation to the guests so this was a little different.

However other than dining environment the food was still impeccably curated, prepared and presented! Drinks were regularly topped up, correct cutlery placed directly after ordering. Meals and drinks came out in a very timely manner. The main server had great menu knowledge but could have possibly articulated it a bit better but again I think that a little more etiquette is taken with servers in the private dining rooms upstairs. We will definitely return as the food is always impeccable however we will make sure we can confirm seating upstairs...

I am very mixed about this review, but ultimately it will be 2 stars not 3. The Wait staff were very mixed bagged, we had one gentleman that was absolutely amazing and cannot say enough good things about him, his timing, presentation and manners were on point, 5 star, which is what I would expect. Unfortunately the Woman that waited our table also did not such a good job, reaching over people, taking drink orders and not doing anything with that order which we then had to chase down someone to find out what was going on. The biggest sin she committed was taking plates while we were still eating, for a restaurant of this caliber this is a big no no, NEVER take plates while people are still eating their meal!

The Room we were situated in was kinda small for the size of the table and orientation leading to myself being repeatedly bumped by the wait staff trying to get to the other side.

The Food was also mixed bagged, for the price of the sides it was not good at all, the mash was about a cup and half worth and that was pretty good but extremely expensive. The Salads were not very good at all and extremely expensive.

The Steaks were all round amazing however, while I cannot comment for everyone I did have a tomahawk and some of my wife's angus sirloin and both were perfectly cooked and extremely tender, the size and cut were good and the bark on the outside was amazing. These are not cheap steaks at all by any means but they delivered exactly what we paid for.

The final part which was handled by the wait staff professionally but should not of happened in the first place was I found a bit of food in my glass when I was drinking. very disappointing to have happen. However it was removed from the bill and replaced but it made me look at the second glass prior to drinking.

Sadly I cannot recommend this place as the prices do not represent the service and quality of the meals we received. the wait staff were the two extremes and the sides were too expensive for the size and quality received. The steaks they delivered and while on the expensive side I would argue was still fair given the quality and cooking...

We chose to dine at this Steakhouse tonight, due to a month ago we went to Gambaro's Seafood (across the road- being a previous customer of the Seafood restaurant several times) and the ones who had steak enjoyed it and couldn't talk about it enough. It was then thought we would go to the Black Hide Steakhouse to see how this was for a celebration Birthday dinner. What a disappointment! The kids meal came out first which wasn't cooked properly. When received, we cut the steak, and was found to be medium rare. This was returned, advising well done was requested. The steak was returned (2nd time) still not cooked well done after cutting in the middle, with requesting for a well done steak and this time to cook a new steak. After 5 minutes the same steak was returned cooked well done.

It was asked why we didn't receive a new well done cooked steak and was advised this will take 25 mins. The child was hungry and we kept this steak. While the establishment did the correct thing to not charge us for this child's meal, all other meals the wait was a considerable time ( especially the ones with steak requests). This was chased to see how much longer we needed to wait - with advice it was coming.

Once received, all looked ok until we realized on going to cut our steaks these were all precut. We then asked them when it came time to pay, why the steaks were precut, the response was "this was how Gambaro's do there steaks for presentation". I advise them this was incorrect when knowing only a few weeks ago eating across the road, the steak was not precut, and it was cooked to perfection. If this was the case, the child's order would have been precut with not having to be returned twice and seen this was not cooked as requested, I disagree with this statement.

Maybe the chefs at the Black Hide Steak House need to go across to Gambaro's Seafood Restaurant and see how these chefs cook there steak. Very Disappointed for a Gambaro's restaurant - considering the amount you pay for the specialty of...