Level 2 Steakhouse — Restaurant in Branson

First time visiting Level 2 Steakhouse tonight. Honestly a let down. The decor design and intimate feeling was definitely there. However, when we were seated at our table our waitress Aimee didn’t really try to make that connection with us. Usually, when going to a fine dining steakhouse the waiter will try and recommend some top choices or some favorites. The service and care we received was mediocre. Now for the food… When visiting a new fine dining my wife and I always keep our minds open and our palettes ready. We started the night off with the Maryland Crab Cakes. The good side was you could definitely tell there was fresh real crab inside. The sauce on top of the crab cakes had a very bitter taste kind of threw the taste of the crab off which is truly what you are looking for with fresh crab cakes. Also, a couple pieces of crab shell were found in each of the crab cakes. I understand it can happen but when paying a premium price for 2 crab cakes you’d expect better. The presentation was very clunky and overall messy. Next, for the mains we ordered the KC strip medium with an add on of grilled jumbo shrimp and filet mignon medium rare with an add on of the 6oz. Lobster tail. Also, we chose their sides of Roasted Whipped Potatoes, Roasted Brussel sprouts, and Sautéed mushrooms. So, here’s what I’ll say the presentation and plating very well done. However, the actual flavor of the mains was rather lacking. Not really a good flavor on the steak other than just a minimal hit of salt. The jumbo shrimp was probably the best flavor tasting of the night. The lobster tail was also cooked perfectly. The KC strip was a medium rare when asked for medium. Our waiter Aimee hardly ever came around to check on us so didn’t wait to have a refire. For the sides, the whipped potatoes were alright again not much flavor just a simple purée. The roasted Brussel sprouts had a nice char however the consistency of texture was lacking some pieces were cooked well while others were still hard. The sautéed mushrooms was a big let down. No flavor at all and also very very chewy texture. To finish the night off we ordered their crème brûlée pumpkin. I’ll be honest here don’t order this. The presentation was nice but who put crunchy chocolate chip cookies on a crème brûlée? Also, absolutely zero pumpkin flavor. Essentially it was just a mush texture with berries and cookies on top. So, the best way I can put my experience at Level 2 Steakhouse is the technique and plating skills are there. But, the overall lack of flavor was a real letdown. After reading the menu and ingredients on each dish I was excited for my palette. I thought my palette would be dancing with all the interesting flavor fusions. However, Level 2 missed the mark on flavor. Total at the end of the night $287. The plates were nice to look at but the flavor was a let down. More than likely will not be returning. Would not recommend to anyone for a fine dining...

I'd love to be writing a review of the wagyu steak right now but instead my review only applies to those attempting to eat in the "bar area." We had never heard of this place but were looking to try a new Steakhouse while on vacation this past Monday (11/20/23). My wife called to get a reservation and the person on the phone said they could probably fit the three of us in if we waited for about an hour, but if they couldn't there was a bar area where we could eat. Ok no problem. When we got to the restaurant the front of house person wasn't interested in what was said on the phone and just directed us outside of the restaurant to the hotel lobby bar. Somewhat irked as we didn't know the bar was outside the restaurant basically in a hotel lobby-like area but still, no problem. There was a handful of tall round tables, a bar, and one very large banquet style table. Other than us there were two parties dining and the only table that was clean was the huge banquet table. We had our ten year old son with us so we didn't want to sit at the bar so we sat at the large table. The table was right in the middle of the bar and I felt awkwardly far away from my family so I intended to ask our server if they wouldn't mind cleaning one of the smaller tables. After about five minutes a young man came from behind the bar and asked us if we were going to be dining and we said yes. He asked what we wanted to drink and I said "water for now but I'd like to look at the drink menu." I forgot to ask him if it was possible to move tables. The guy disappears for a full five minutes. Finally reappears and brings a different table the check then disappears again. Another five minutes goes by and we are wondering what is going on and decide if he doesn't come back soon we'd leave. After about another five minutes he comes to the table with three waters and menus. I said "Hey, I really don't mean to be high maintenance but would it be possible for us to move to one of these smaller tables." He said "no" because he was "the only bartender working tonight." I politely said I appreciated everything but we would try to find somewhere else to dine, and he said "thanks." As someone who has worked in the service industry I can't wrap my head around turning away a 60-80 dollar tip because you can't take LITERALLY one minute to bus a table. There were only two other parties other than us. I suppose his only defense would be that he was making drinks for the whole restaurant in which case you have a managerial problem. In any case, the lack of understanding of the hospitality and service industry is stunning. If you are able to get a reservation, I hope the steak is delicious and I hope the services is as good. If you are directed to the bar area I would avoid at all costs! As for us, we'll be sticking with Osage for our steaks; you can't go wrong there. Have...

I came here to meet friends. The bar was a joke. Weak drink. Second drink I got was half full. Told the bartender and she stated she must have forgot the mix. Corrected the mistake. Still didn't seem right. Ordered a gin and tonic. I think I received a double tonic. The only reason I say that is because I ordered a Tangueray and tonic. Anyone that drinks Tangueray knows the distinct aroma. I didn't detect it at all in my second drink...$26.00 later I check out and meet the rest of my party at level 2 steakhouse. Waiter was young but uptight. I was with a group of people that are very easy going....drinks took a ridiculous amount of time to be made and delivered. We were at our table for at least three hours. Drinks came at a snail's pace. We had a group of 8. By the time you got a refill you were almost sober again.... really it was a joke. Majority of the party had beer and wine. Only 3 were drinking mixed drinks. No excuse for a delay. Now I'm not saying the booze had to flow like water, but it was flowing like mud. Not only did the establishment lose out on revenue but you had unhappy patrons. Apps were good. Finally got the main course and two orders got reversed. Me and another party member ordered the strip. I wanted mine med rare and he wanted his med well with onions. The order came out and I had a med well steak and the other had a med rare steak covered with onions. For a place of this advertised quality that was piss poor. I offered to switch with him but he didn't want to. I really didn't want to either. I wasnt in the mood for the onions, but I wanted to make it right for both of us. So it ended up I had an overdone steak and he had an under done steak. Neither was bad but for $42.00 each it was NOT right. I've worked in a lot of kitchens and that is not an excusable offense for a supposedly fine dining establishment... plus it took quite sometime to receive our entrees. Now, luckily our group was in no hurry and we were enjoying our time together....which brings me back to the beginning. The drinks were very few and far between...I'm not one to really say anything, I wasn't paying, but I still feel that things could have been better. I'm a hell of a cook and host myself and this was really sub par. Not saying this is a bad place but it is on the high side for what I experienced. Step up your game. Get the orders right, keep the drinks coming and you will be ok...