Remington Tavern and Seafood Exchange — Restaurant in City of North Tonawanda

Let me start off by saying this place was highly recommended to us. This was our first time going to this place, and with how much money it cost, we expected it to be the whole package/ a whole experience. Unfortunately, some things here were a swing and a miss. The cocktails were great, the appetizers were delicious (clams casino especially- like literally the very best ever!). We also got a crab cake appetizer which was $18 for ONE crab cake, though it was very tasty. The steak my boyfriend ordered had about 50% meat, 25% fat, and 25% what felt like a rubber band. My boyfriend regrets not sending it back, and instead he cut off what he could and chewed through the rest. At the price that it was, it should not have been served like that. I had the crab stuffed salmon and it was very good. For dessert, they had 4 options. I enjoyed the chocolate torte, and my boyfriend ordered the cheesecake with berries. I took a bite of his, and it was very fluffy and light- not dense, which I wish it was. And my boyfriend said it was ok, but tasted store-bought and generic. For the amount of money things cost here, you'd expect it to be the very best. Fast forward to us finishing dessert, and we see that other tables are being served warm rolls and butter, which we were not. This was bothersome enough that we asked the emotionless waitress, who told us bread is served by REQUEST ONLY as to not waste it. Uhhh... this was our first time here, so we would have no way of knowing that. It was also not notated anywhere on the menu. The end result of that is very off-putting to patrons, and I don't think is worth saving a few pennies. So, with that being said. Our personality-less waitress (attentive, though as flat as flat can be) should have asked at some point if we've ever eaten there before, would you like some bread, welcome, etc.; none of which happened. Not to mention that when we mentioned it to her, she did not apologize, nor did she offer us any to-go. It seems petty, but makes you feel like they got one over on you, even though you just dropped $400 at their establishment. This really left a bad taste in our mouths. Other notables- we were seated by a window which had multiple flies on it (I get it, people open doors and stuff) but it was really obnoxious to be dodging flies and brushing them off our food all meal long. Also, there is NO parking. You have to park far down side streets and take a hike, unless you want to pay for valet parking (not including tip). All in all, we won't be back. Also, the male staff there taking away plates was VERY attentive, helpful, and friendly! He even had conversation with us. Too bad he couldn't have been our waiter; may have changed the...

So we have eaten here before downstairs and it was excellent. This time was a bit different. First finding a parking space is near impossible, you can valet but I don't like others driving my car. We parked a few streets over and walked. There is ample street parking blocks away, just nothing close. So this unlike the last time we booked a reservation for upstairs. This may not have been a good idea. You are walked up the stairs into a weird room that is decorated so oddly. The leopard print carpeting with a door laid flat in the middle of the room like a table. Just odd décor selections. Well onto the meal we ordered two Bloody Mary's from our server Melissa G (who was very nice and knowledgeable) to start with, we asked for them spicy. These were literally the worst Bloody Mary's I have ever had, the mix was some store purchased V8 it seemed and to spice them up they just poured tons of tabasco sauce in them. Not good at all. We ordered apps to start and then our main course. Well about 10 minutes later we saw a girl walking around asking other tables if these were their entrees, after she had almost fully put them down in front of another couple they said no. We realized they were in fact our entrees. So after they were brought to a main serving table we notified the server we knew they were ours and just eat them now before they got cold or sat. She offered to buy us a round for not having our apps before or ever show. We declined thinking she would just take off the original Bloody Mary's off the bill, she did not. The food was excellent though I had the creole pasta which was amazing and my wife had the pasta Bolognese which she enjoyed. Its too bad that everything else wasn't. Before we left, I had to use the upstairs bathroom. I was very surprised how dirty it was, the mirror looked like someone just used a paper towel to just move around the filth on the mirror. The air vent that you see directly to your right when you were washing your hands was extremely filled with dirt and dust, very gross.(See Pic) Also there was a ripped piece of wall paper which is a really easy fix.(See Pic) I feel that if your going to charge as much as they do for meals the bathrooms should be clean and presentable. The bill was $100 for two bad drinks and two pasta dishes. I definitely feel that the meal wasn't worth the price. Also we were in and out of the restaurant in like 30 minutes not by our own accord. Which really is upsetting because when my wife an I get out, which is not as frequent as we would like, we would like to enjoy our meal. Definitely...

What happened between late winter (my birthday) and this week (our anniversary)? Everything has gone down and the prices have gone up. I can deal with the prices; if you want good food on a budget my suggestion is cook at home and enjoy. But every so often you want a special meal out and we have chose Remington… well no more. The bar - which by the way does not display prices on drink menu. He ordered a Corona, I chose the Hemingway and a dozen Oysters…What happen to the Oysters, could they be any smaller?- final at the bar $60 tip not included. OK- NP we chose that. On to our table. What happen to the wine list? $9 bottles of wine for $40 - again, fairly typical but that was pretty much the choice unless you were going into the $80 to $160 realm and at that point I was becoming suspicious. We chose a $40 OK Malbec; retail $9.00 which was a bit light but doable.I figured that was the best value since the wine we chose the previous time is no longer on the menu. Wine came, appetizers were ordered. He the almond shrimp, me crispy calamari… almond and shrimp… hmm; actually it was not bad. Crunchy and broiled served with a kind of mayo, ketchup, and a hint of mustard remoulade. The crispy calamari was pedestrian at best; and honestly, I don’t know why I bother… Main plates. He asked for the ribeye which was marked as a strip steak. Our waitress explained that it was rib eye but a cut that was more like a strip… what, oh ok. I chose the twin lamb shank. We asked for bread, warmed up poppyseed rolls arrived served with whipped butter. Food came, all was served on a bed of mashed potatoes (come to think of it, we were not offered a choice nor were we asked if we wanted salad, soup, etc… ) the potatoes tasted like instant; not that I mind, really, very nostalgic, retro even… and comfortingly reminiscent of my dear mother in law who made them for her husband who loved them….but I digress. I just did not expect to have instant mashed potatoes at Remingtons…lol. Also on the plate green beans which were good, and a puddle of brown sauce. The shanks were good, unctuous, and tender. His steak was OK . He rarely orders it out he is super picky but he liked the steak last time and was looking forward to it… We skipped desert and opted for a bowl of Vanilla Bean ice cream while watching the late news. Looking for recommendations… we have a birthday coming...