Madeira — Restaurant in Brownsville

My wife and I have gone to Madeira many times. It is a once or twice a year type of restaurant for our budget. Typically will save it for a celebration or some type of special occasion like a birthday. It is a little bit pricey, but the quality of the food and the atmosphere is reflected in the price. I have never had a bad or even mediocre meal at this place. Everything they serve from the cocktails, to the appetizers, to the salads, to the entrées, to the desserts is fantastic. You will spend a minimum of $40 a person at this location. But you will enjoy yourself. The atmosphere is very upscale and comfortable. It’s almost like communal dining because you are so close to the other guests and that can be fine or you can make sure they seat you away from that bench row so you’re not too close to other people. There’s also a very nice patio for the rare occasion that there are not mosquitoes or too much wind to sit outside and enjoy. All in all I give this place five stars for atmosphere, food and service. It is definitely the finest restaurant in Brownsville buy a long stretch. People come from all over the valley...

Pains me to write this post because I used to love Madeira, they HAD an Australian Wagyu that would literally taste like heaven every bite. But over the last few times I’ve had it, it’s been lacking quality in general, not even mentioning pricing. Last weekend I ordered their Wagyu ribeye-medium finish and what I got was horrible. Not no steak expert but as a person who cooks steaks often I know how difficult it is to ever mess up Wagyu meat. First of all they gave it to me extra well done when I asked for medium. Called them and they said to take it back so the chef can check the temp, almost insinuating I was lying. Besides the steak being overcooked it literally had no flavor, like AT ALL. Tasted ground beef burgers that were better than that steak. Paid $100 for a steak and a dessert, and I’m not even lying when I say this was the WORST STEAK I’VE EVER HAD IN MY LIFE. And going back to the point of how easy Wagyu is to cook, it almost makes me believe that their meat isn’t even Wagyu cause how could it be so dry and lacking flavor? Anyways I’ll never be back here again unless they try and right...

After hearing from friends for years how great Madeira was and reading the TA reviews, we finally dined there last evening with special friends. It was marvelous! The contemporary décor is spectacular and unlike anything else in the Valley. The food was out of this world. And the service was impeccable. Three of us had two rounds of Tanqueray & tonic and the fourth member of our party had a margarita on the rocks. The drinks were pricey but great. Then we shared a huge brie & bacon salad. Both couples ordered the chatauebriand (sp?) at probably the only restaurant south of San Antonio serving it. The $45 Penalegre cab from Spain was perfect with the great beef and two sauces. We topped off the meal with two versions of crème brulee (vanilla and carmel), and one was on the house. I had a nice port to finish off a great meal. This meal was as good as any I have eaten in Chicago, LA, or even New York City, tho the $250 price for two was in the same league with those. It was nice to see the restaurant about 3/4 full on a Thursday night. We definitely plan to return, at least for...