First, it should be noted that this is only the second review I’ve ever left in my life and the first one was all positive after a fantastic evening at a Mexican restaurant in DC. I’m just not one to be quick to complain.
That being said, this was one of the most disappointing experiences I’ve had, maybe ever in a restaurant. My husband and I had one evening in Dublin. After much research on great steakhouses in the area, we chose Tomahawk because of the positive reviews, and the chance to sit at the bar and watch the wood fired steaks.
Long story short, we made reservations, sat at the bar, ordered a bottle of wine, the popular tomahawk steak for 2, and a side of French fries. My husband was in heaven watching them cook. It was so fun for me to see him so excited. He said multiple times “I don’t think I’ve ever been this excited about food”. We were very optimistic.
When the food arrived, I asked chef that was working in front of me (not the main chef) “could I please get some ketchup for the French fries. If not, it’s okay.” 1) I made sure to specify that it was for the fries as I didn’t want to offend them thinking I wanted to cover the steak in ketchup and 2) I said it’s okay if that is not possible. The chef looked at me, repeated what I asked, yelled it over to the guy who was plating the food, and the two of them proceeded to mock me stating “ketchup for the American.” “Another American” and “yea, it’s for the American”. Mind you this restaurant is tiny so really nearly every guest could hear.
I could not believe it. My feelings were so hurt. I immediately looked at my husband and all I could say as I was in shock was “aw no....” And then put my head down. My husbands face was boiling red. The entire meal we didn’t say one word as we were in so much shock and so offended. What turned into an awesome experience sitting at the bar watching the chefs at work turned into misery, I didn’t even want to lift my head up and I can’t even remember what the meal tasted like. We had plans to go to several pubs afterward but that completely killed our mood so we went straight back to the hotel for the night.
Had I thought that was such a “stupid American question”, I would not have asked. However, I don’t even live in America. I live in Germany and fries and ketchup is a very normal thing. Also, ketchup was served with my fries at the restaurant we had lunch at earlier that day. These guys were just incredibly ignorant and offensive. If we were at a pub, I could let it roll off my shoulders easier, but we were spending over 150€ on dinner and an experience. That is incredibly unprofessional and they should be held to a much higher standard if they are going to have these prices. I think they forgot that their “kitchen” is in the middle of their restaurant, open to every guest. They shouldn’t be allowed to mock their guests in front of the entire restaurant.
All in all, I can say the presentation of the food was beautiful. I don’t remember the taste Because I was too upset. I would not recommend this restaurant as I’m sure there are others who treat their guests better, whatever their nationality is and despite whatever they want to dip their fries into.
**it should be noted that the main chef was kind. I don’t know for sure but I think he heard everything and was bothered by his workers. We are pretty good at reading people and I think he noticed the...
Read moreI went to Tomahawk the week they first opened. It was good, although I definitely felt they needed some time to find their groove. Last night I went back as part of a large group and have to say I was hugely unimpressed. Firstly I have to say that I didn’t make the booking and had I been the one doing it I wouldn’t have chosen Tomahawk. They refused to offer their full menu, instead forcing a set menu with incredibly restrictive choices. For the not inconsiderable price of €60 per person you have a choice of 4 starters, 4 mains and 3 desserts with a selection of 4 sides being served to the table. That doesn’t sound too restrictive until you realise that at this restaurant that prides itself on big steaks the only options are a 10oz ribeye or a 10oz striploin. I opted for the striploin which came out with a little pot of beef jus which was the only thing that made it edible. The steak was clearly a poor cut from a poor butcher. It had no real flavour, was tough and was very difficult to cut even with the sharp steak knife I was given. I thought maybe I had been unlucky but with the restrictive options there were plenty of other people to ask and the opinions didn’t really vary from mine. Another serious problem was that we had two vegetarians in our group. When we rang ahead we were told that the vegetarians could eat from the main menu which had a nice sounding vegetarian agnolotti pasta with sweet corn and chilli. We were never presented with a physical menu, instead the vegetarians mentioned the pasta dish on the website and the server took their order. What arrived was not what was on the menu, instead a mushroom ravioli which would have been fine had one of the vegetarians had a serious aversion to mushrooms! When the error was pointed out to the manager he disappeared to ask the chef and returned with a suggestion of a goats cheese salad. Overall the impression we got was one of a really bad value set menu with the most inexpensive choices presented to a big party who wouldn’t have a choice of leaving to find a better option. I’d like to hope that the main menu is more acceptable, particularly the quality of the beef, but I may never give it a chance as there are too many other places to try. One thing I will say is that the servers were all very friendly and polite which is the best thing about the experience we had. In summary, if you are part of a big group give this...
Read moreIf you're looking for the best steakhouse in Dublin, look no further—this place is simply unbelievable. From the moment we walked in, we were blown away by the entire experience. It’s not just a meal here; it’s a culinary journey that any steak lover will appreciate. The ambiance of the restaurant immediately sets the tone for what’s to come. The décor is warm and inviting, with a sophisticated yet relaxed atmosphere that makes you feel right at home. But what truly sets this steakhouse apart is the exceptional staff. From the moment we were seated, the service was impeccable. The staff were incredibly attentive and went above and beyond to ensure our evening was nothing short of perfect. One of the highlights of our visit was the detailed explanation of the different cuts of meat. Before we even placed our order, the staff brought down a selection of premium cuts to our table, taking the time to explain each one. It was an education in steak, and their passion for what they do was evident. They answered all our questions with patience and expertise, which made choosing the perfect cut an enjoyable and informed experience. We decided to go for the Tomahawk steak, and it was an absolute showstopper. Cooked to perfection, it was everything we hoped for and more. The steak was juicy, tender, and full of flavor, with that perfect char on the outside. It was clear that a lot of care and attention went into preparing it, and the result was nothing short of steak heaven. To complement the meal, we selected a nice bottle of red wine, which paired beautifully with the rich, savory flavors of the steak. The wine list is extensive, and the staff were more than happy to help us choose the perfect bottle to match our meal. Overall, this steakhouse has set the bar incredibly high. It’s not just the best steakhouse in Dublin—it's one of the best dining experiences we’ve had in the city. Whether you’re a steak connoisseur or just looking for an unforgettable meal, this place delivers on every level. Highly...
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