Vic Stewart's — Restaurant in Brentwood

Wow.

The atmosphere of the restaurant is that of only the finest dining establishments. You walk in, and you see a nicely furnished seating area, front desk, and staff that greet you happily, dont be fooled. There's a well-appointed wine room with glass windows to make the alcoholic geriatric golf cart connoisseur feel like their addiction is a hobby. You walk into a nice, dimly, but well lit dining area where western inspired decor adorns the walls. While the furniture is varied in every shade of... wood. Then you open a hearty simple menu with options that a restaurant of this caliber could only have mastered through decades of satisfied customers. You sit back and order an appetizer, maybe a drink. I ordered the calamari. Iced water, sourdough, and butter are on the table as we anticipate our master pieces are being assembled in the kitchen.

The calamari is served. As the calamari is placed in my mouth, it evaporates. The only thing left it the smell of seafood and dreams of what could have been. "Well, that's ok. It's a steak house, not a seafood restaurant, right?".... I'm beginning to panic. Our main course arrives, the scalloped potatoes are a clear example of why pictures of menu items are not a thing here. My steak looks cooked correctly, I think. The plate has enough steak sauce preapplied to drown an infant. I cut into it, take a bite, and realize that I've been had. The flavorless chewy meat that I haven't had since I was a child eating lean cuisine is in my mouth again. My dad going to get cigarettes never to return is flashing before my eyes. My wife, at this point, has started sobbing uncontrollably as memories rush back of food eaten through bleak hardships fill our minds. I'm writing this review from under a bridge, I'm not sure how one is supposed to recover from something so awful.

I'm not long for this world. Existence is only pain. Don't let my mistakes be...

I've been coming here for a long time. Since it opened god knows how long ago. I haven't been in a while so I decided to stop in yesterday and I was not impressed. For a restaurant that is only open 6 hours a day, it was a mess. All of the draft beer was out, so they were pouring bottles into glasses, which okay, I get it. Shit happens. But the refrigerator they were pulling them out of looks like it hasn't been cleaned since the day the restaurant opened. I've seen cleaner equipment at dive bars. I always held Vic's to a high standard because it was top notch, but it has completely fallen off. The menus had sticky crap and loose hair stuck on them. The men's bathroom has a lid on the toilet that is from some toilet other than the one that's in there. At $9 a beer, I think you can afford to go to Lowe's and buy a $200 toilet. The food was crap. The "catch of the day" was frozen halibut that was cooked in a way that reminded me of chewing on beef jerky. Vic's is known for steak. Yet you can't find one on the menu that isn't covered in some kind of sauce. It's not that hard. Salt and pepper. Done. Who in their right mind puts barbecue sauce on a ribeye? In the culinary world, I would consider that a crime. Whoever is in charge of this restaurant, or owns it, needs to really step their game up because at the rate they are going, this place is going to be closed in no time. I would say they are maybe one step ahead of Black Angus. Get it...

We went there to celebrate our son's 24th birthday (it's a place he has been wanting to try). We are self-proclaimed foodies and love to try new places. We made a reservation for 6 a few days before (recommended) and, upon arrival, we were seated promptly with a table already set up with water glasses already filled. I'd describe the ambience as lodge-like. Lots of wood and open space and a fire burning right in the middle of the room! I took a picture and posted it and several thought we were outside! The table was round (perfect for 6 people) which we prefer anyway. Sourdough bread came right away, warm, fresh, and delicious. Our waitress, Yony (sp?) was wonderful and attentive and patient with my slew of questions. In regards to the food...IT WAS ALL AMAZING!! I was the only one that o have a lobster bisque added (everyone else just got entrees) and we ordered a broccoli and an asparagus for the table. Hands-down one of the best lobster bisques I have had! Prime rib and steaks were the primary orders but I got the catch of the day, which was halibut. Everyone loved their meals (and we all shared a bite or two with each other) except a few didn't like the mashed potatoes (I loved them, though). After the meal, our son was brought a special birthday dessert (chocolate mousse) and we enjoyed the evening very much, thanks to the staff at...