NICHOLSON MUIR — Restaurant in Boynton Beach

We came in with high hopes, given how the place was so recommended by colleagues. We appreciated the small and elegant seating arrangements, had all the hallmarks of a pleasant dining experience. The menu looked outstanding, a very broad selection of meats.

Unfortunately, the remainder of the evening was a strong step-down from what the place projected. I list the items of concern in chronological order:

Being informed that none, that is 0, zero, of the dry aged items on the menu were available. This is understandable, but a place that charges $25 per person for confirmed reservations with no way to cancel without penalty within 48 hours and no person answering the phone is disingenuous.

Upon ordering a $70 bottle of wine, server returned with a different one, informing that the one selected was out of stock. They did not inform that it was over twice the price of the one requested, luckily I asked and was only then told. I sent it back and settled for a lower offering–which was delicious in its own right. Server should have approached the table and let us know about unavailability and asking us to make a selection instead of straight bringing a doubly-expensive item. I pity the fool that's out on a date being presented with this situation; it should have been handled discretely. On the plus side wine prices are very reasonable, markup is quite low for restaurants, and I commend them for doing this.

Food took well over 45 minutes to arrive and steaks were lukewarm at best. Also, rare was brought out medium-rare.

Steak portions were incredibly thin and small compared to their advertised weight. I do steaks for a living just about, and know intimately what they should look like based on weight.

Server didn't bother to bring steak knives, let us use butter knives. I can tolerate butter knives in airport terminals or on airplanes when cutting meat but this place is none of the above. Upon asking for steak knives, server promptly brought them.

Taste was unimpressive, presentation just as much. I once had a steak at Denny's about 30 years ago and mine the other night looked and tasted just about the same as I recall. I invite you to take a look at the attached photo, sorry-looking 1/2" thick cut of meat, butter knife and all, and tell me that's what you think a steak should look at in a place that presents itself as a purveyor of "distinguished meats."

6 1/2. Side of French fries was the best tasting item on the table, and possibly the best French fries I had in years. At least that.

Manager took my steak off the bill. I was not looking for a free steak; I was looking forward to a great dinner, but alas, this place did not deliver. I would rather pay top dollar for a great steak than eat a mediocre one for free.

To end, this place makes a promise it just cannot deliver. I do not plan to return even if invited by others or dinner was free. My time is far more valuable.

I wish them the best of luck, perhaps these are growing pains and it will improve in the future, but you only have one chance at making a first impression, and in our case the...

A group of us dined at Nicholson Muir last night for their multi course Sabores Eternos event.

Approaching the entrance was magical, the aroma of wood fired coals and simmering food felt as if one was wondering the streets of Spain.

Beautiful restaurant once inside, with monitors playing 007 Thunderball from 1965.

Pretty cool.

Everyone was greeted with a refreshing cocktail, until all parties were escorted to their tables.

Wine was poured, and the multiple courses began.

Staff was amazing, flawless presentation, however the restaurant was insanely loud.

The sommelier had to speak at the top of her voice while presenting the paired wines while at tables, and still inaudible.

Without going into a lot details, because the menu was in-depth (posted below) it was a very lack luster meal. I am sure the quality of ingredients were superior, the wine was paired well, but one was lucky to even get half of a traditional pour, than the glass sat empty until the next course.

The portions were incredibly small, more reminiscent of a tasting menu than meal.

When the main entree arrived, Paella, it was maybe 3/4 cup of rice, and we all had just 1 shrimp and 1 scallop, and sadly it was burnt.

Two tables got up and left, leaving the dessert course and sherry behind.

It’s clear the event ran longer than expected, checks were presented after 10:00, and at 9:45 staff was clearing tables which was quite uncomfirtable.

The one thing that stood out, there was a table of friends and family of the Chef. He even sat with them, and, I know many will criticize this, I also agree there should be perks knowing the owner. However, everyone at that table enjoyed double the experience as those not in that circle.

Generous food portions, generous pours, and never an empty glass.

It was noticeable, and not a good look.

I’d like to mention that the bill for our party of 4, with tax and tip was over $1,100, and we had to stop and eat on the way home because we were all still starving.

In reference to NM’s response to this review: First off, I didn’t realize I was paying for an “experience” had I known that I’d booked a trip to Disney World, not a restaurant. It also appears you have an issues and feel belittling those that stay at Day’s Inn or shop at Walmart are somehow below you and your clientele expectations. Well.. I travel with three dogs across the country, options are sometimes limited. As far as Walmart, maybe read the entire review. I would love to share my review profiles with you for Yelp, Trip Advisor, Facebook, and Open Table where typically my reviews are more positive, along with being truthful, as with my review of your establishment. That being said, you can rest assured, I’ve posted the exact same review on all of those as here on Google of my experience at Nicholson Muir. Oh BTW, a recent AI search of Nicholson Muir seems to show many, besides myself are trending with the exact same experience as I. I’ve attached it below for reference. Lose the attitude, it’s not...

Everything we ordered tasted amazing, however, they completely messed up our steak and refused to make it right, and instead just profusely apologized with no results.

We ordered a $96 steak and wanted the blue cheese crust (+$10), something we read about on the reviews, which we frequent before trying any new restaurant to see what people are ordering/what they recommend.

I specifically said to the waiter “I heard we need to try a blue cheese crusted steak”.

While we waited on this steak, we had a few starters come which all were amazing. We even spoke about how great the food, ambiance and service was.

When the steak came, my husband had a bite and gave me a bite. I said to him “do I just not see the blue cheese crust and it is infused in there? Or did they forget?” We both agreed it didn't taste like it had the crust.

Finally 5 minutes into our mains, our server came to check on us and I asked him the same question, all I said was “is it on there and I just cant see it?” He apologized and said they’re going to get us a new one and went back to the kitchen. He left the steak at the table so we let it sit there pretty much uneaten (and getting cold).

Finally, they brought us gross crusted blue cheese in a side dish to “top” our steak with. It was awful on top of the steak. We asked them if this is how it is when you order the steak with the crust or if its typically prepared cooked into the steak. They said it is cooked into the steak, acknowledged this is a sub par option. When we realized we weren’t getting a new steak, we ate our cold original one. They kept apologizing but it just made us super uncomfortable. We don't want words, we want results.

While they didn’t charge us for the “add on” in the end, the way this was handled was completely amateur. We frequent Michelin star or Michelin recommended restaurants on a monthly basis, and we know the level of service and handling of mistakes (because people are human, and mistakes do happen) should be done the right way. It wasn’t about the mistake, it was how it was handled. The server blamed the kitchen, and the second server who delivered the side of blue cheese crust said it was “server error”. We don’t care about placing blame. Again, mistakes happen. But no one handled the mistake properly.

They kept the $96 cold steak on our bill. We didn’t say a thing about it, paid and walked out. Ridiculous, sub par treatment. What could have been an amazing dinner experience was made to be uncomfortable and awkward by all the apologizing with...