Shakespeare's Steak and Seafood — Restaurant in Hamilton

My wife and I made reservations for our 5th wedding anniversary for dinner here this week. We had never eaten here, and had driven by many times not paying it a second thought. I found it after googling "romantic dinner places in Hamilton" (being the romantic I obviously am...)

I want to start my review from the moment of the reservation phone call. The man who answered the phone was kind, courteous, and professional and took my reservation. I told him it was for our anniversary not really giving it a second thought.

Upon arriving I had no change for parking and the greeter was kind enough to break a bill for me (Seriously Hamilton can we please start taking credit cards at our parking meters like the rest of the civilized world) before seating us at a romantic little table.

This is a reasonably dimly lit restaurant with dark walls and beautiful paintings on the wall. The atmosphere is best described as calm, classic, and romantic.

After being greeted by our waiter another man came to greet us. My first thought was that they messed up on whose table this was, but a moment later he extended a hand and just said he wanted to greet us personally. He was the man who had taken our reservation. This little extra touch jumped out in my head.

They bring some free appetizers to the table, some warm garlic bread and a plate of olives, pickles, and feta cheese before taking our order. We ordered the bacon wrapped scallops as an appetizer. My wife loves fresh scallops, where as I am fairly indifferent. I did enjoy it however, it was fresh, not overcooked and rubbery and full of flavor.

For our main course we both ordered the junior fliet mignon (7oz I believe) my wife had baked potato and I had the rice. When it arrived it came with some lightly steamed vegetables. Broccoli, a shaved carrot and asparagus. The rice was a tomato rice, which I actually don't normally enjoy but I really enjoyed this one, and would order it again.

Our steaks were incredible and I would put them in the same category of some of the best steaks I have ever eaten.

After dinner I was waiting for a desert menu as I had noticed several nice looking plates moving around the restaurant while we were eating. But before I could ask for a menu our waiter brought us both out apple beignets with ice cream with sparklers in the top. They were compliments of the kitchen on the celebration of our anniversary.

The entire experience left us both feeling very satisfied, we enjoyed every part of our meal and the entire dining experience felt very relaxed and unrushed. (Is that even a word?)

They are a higher end restaurant on the price scale. The bill with gratuity for two with two glasses of wine came to around 150, which is obviously much more than I normally spend on a night out, however they did have a very attractive looking fixed menu as well at $45 / person that included appetizer, desert, and steak, chicken or fish, so I may sneak back to try that as well.

I would recommend this place to anyone who is looking for something a little more fancy and for anyone looking to make a real occasion. Thanks so much guys! We...

We are not particularly fussy people. We dine out often and tip well, even when service or food is subpar. We don't mind spending money as long as the food is good, even if everything isn't.

But Shakespeare's has got to be one of my top 3 worst dining experiences ever. It was so bad, it's still memorable a year later. Struck me to write a review now since I'm still frustrated with the experience. We only went based on other's reviews and we were given a gift card towards our dinner as a gift from family.

We went for our wedding anniversary and had reserved a table during a weeknight. We parked on the main street by the venue. We waited for a bit and had a table in the middle of a fairly empty restaurant during our allotted time.

We have been told by others what a great experience it is and were greatly disappointed.

The decor is fine. Dark, very dimly lit, cozy, outdated - but probably part of the charm as a historical long-standing restaurant.

Our first server was fine. Friendly enough.

We had salads (I had a Caesar - about $15-20 and my husband had a salad similar to a Waldorf, or something along those lines with pear, cheese, nuts, it was a seasonal salad - $20ish). They were both fine, they were wilted and pre-dressed (when others had raved that they made the Caesar at your table). We had some preserved olives and such while we waited for our entrees, which was slightly strange as it was not accompanied by any bread or carb to compliment it with.

I had the king crab legs and my husband had the steak of the day. The crab tasted like it was poorly thawed from frozen (was still cold in some parts) and came with the plastic little tubs of butter you get at a diner. If you go to any other establishment, you get warm melted butter to dip the crab legs in. That crab was over $200.00. For frozen crab legs with plastic butter. I understand market price and don't mind paying for that, when it's prepared properly and tastes good.

My husband's steak I think was over $125.00. It wasn't great, it was tough and dry when he has his med-rare.

We had our server swap three times (possibly a shift change?) and were never asked how the meal was and didn't seem too attentive to us. Didn't even care that it was our anniversary. I get it, it's fine dining... but for many people, this was a special treat. It took over 45 mins after we were clearly finished with our meal to get the bill. We couldn't get out of there fast enough.

For three alcoholic drinks (I think my husband had a glass of wine and we bought a martini and a cocktail for family friends that were also out that night at a separate table), crab legs, two salads, and a steak our bill after tax and tip (I think we gave 15-18%), even with a $150.00 gift certificate was still about $500.00.

Would recommend so many other well deserving fine dining, but not here.

Go to the Keg, even though it's a chain, I've never had a bad experience at the upper James location (and if anything is subpar, they rectify it right away). We went last week and had amazing service and given a free dessert of our choice simply since our server noticed...

40 year old review.

I know this is really strange however. I was talking to a friend about Shakespeare's and my experience 40 years ago. They told me it had not changed. Since, at that time there were no Google reviews. Here’s a 40 year old one. That stands the test of time....

My steak, until I was 23 or so (61 now). I was a well done only guy. Any red, was a no go and pink was for the most part the same. Hence, well done.

Then I went to Shakespeare's in Hamilton. At that time, late 70's early 80's. It was the best and most expensive steakhouse in the Hamilton area. Those who know, know.

Well, I saved my pennies and took my then fiancé. We were waited on hand and foot our every wish food and drink wise was available.

Then we ordered. I ordered Beverley's dinner, Seaford???? Really, Seaford at the best Steakhouse. Anyway I ordered my steak...well done...I think you could have heard a pin drop. Did someone just die??? I was looking around....all the staff had stopped and were looking at me?

Anyway, besides blasphemy and 1000 other sins I just committed. Seems Shakespeare's doesn't cook anything past medium....but that's not what they recommend. Medium rare would be perfect. I asked why....Yeah, in the 20 minutes or so that the chef came out and explained it to me. (COLES note; seems they liked me and wanted to give us the best experience ever). You see we really didn't belong in that reastaunt. At that time it most definitely catered to a class of folks that we were just not in. They knew it was a one time deal for us. But the staff did like us, and treated us like we absolutely did belong. Who in the world knows why....Well as they say, when in Rome....

So, Bev had her Seaford, yum!!! I I cut into the red, pink and a seared steak. They all stood over me. It was really weird actually 😕. However, the bless by the God's themselves steak melted, yes I said melted in my mouth as if it was butter!!! Think I'm kidding? First, the staff all left from around me except for our server before I said a word. I guess my facial expression told the story...Before I had swallowed the first piece, the second was in my mouth.

When did steak ever taste like this? I walked straight to the chef. I immediately started looking for a magic wand....He laughed and said to me it's a lot more simple than that. You simply start with an excellent cut of meat. Only ever turn it once. Wait until it's perfect and your done, simple. So I watched him. Wow!!! No really Wow. Each time, same result.

We spent 3 hours there. Got to meet some of the most amazing people and one of the best Chef's I have ever met in my life.

The truly unfortunate part. It was a one time deal. While others have come close. Never again, has it been that good. So the best steak I have ever tasted was at Shakespeare's in Hamilton. And it was medium rare. BTW, the dinner cost me (with drinks of course, must have wine with the best steak in town) $200 40 years ago. But honestly, best steak I have ever eaten and worth every penny!!!

It's been too long. And I crave the best steak once again. I will be back soon. Thank you kindly...