PORTERS Dining + Bar — Restaurant in College Station

Be prepared to pay for parking. While this is listed as upscale, the most upscale thing about it was the price. My wife got a new veal dish, like $32 that was very tasty but not what she was expecting...The veal was shredded. The lobster & shrimp bisque, $11, was also disappointing. It had a vinaigrette on it...I could not discern any shrimp, and there were a few very chewy, oddly textured, seafood flavored pieces in there as well. The fresh cornbread was good. My entree was a dry aged NY strip steak (20oz $68) and was very disappointing. I asked for it very rare and it was very rare once I got into it a bit. It was cooked on wood fired grill, maybe too hot and cooked too fast? Should not have been a problem. The distinctive aged beef taste was not present nor was the expected tenderness...this took quite a bit of chewing. (I would guess that it was not prime beef either) The steak was served with a roasted (fried? It was rather greasy) head of garlic which I smeared on the steak (normally I put nothing but salt and pepper on my steak, but the garlic helped) both entrees came with nothing, everything a la carte. We got the roasted root vegetables that were supposed to have parsnips but did not, however, the vegetables were the best thing served and, as a side dish, is meant to serve two ($7). We did not get dessert as the selections were not tempting. ( unless you had children then the chocolate lava cake would be appropriate) The service was fine, but a little too much. We were getting to the point where we just wanted to eat what we had without interruption. I was concerned with the lack of discipline in the kitchen area. We could see right into the kitchen (not the actual wood fired area) it seemed to be a place for workers and managers to hang out and goof off. One person was checking on the temperature of the muffins (I guess) as she reached high on to the baking rack and handled every one of them bare handed. Another two shorter gentlemen were dancing, another throwing an orange around...quite the side show for an upscale place. Another side show was in the dining room next to our table. A waitress filled a number of water glasses with ice and made sure everything at the 6 top table was set perfectly (our water had no ice and was not cold) then another woman came along and broke it down to a two top, where no...

A fine time was had by both. So, this beautifully decorated and handsomely staffed restaurant was a recommendation. Not knowing what to expect, my wife and I dressed upscale casual. This was a perfect choice. We were prompt for our reservation. Our table was ready immediately and were seated by a very polite hostess with a charming smile. Our table was redressed so that we could sit next to each other. Our waitress was summoned and arrived with a genuine smile and clear speech. She was very attentive and accommodating. Appetizers were prompt and delicious. We had the shrimp cocktail. I enjoyed a moscato and water while my wife had a lock and key with a water. Our meal was beautifully prepared and delivered. While our waitress gave us time to eat, she continued to look in on us without being intrusive. We were offered dessert, but declined due to the effort put into the plate. $200.00 later, we were headed home with a box and a smile on our faces. That was the good. Now, for the rest. This is a new facility and is still working out their kinks. We couldn’t get the appetizer we asked for because of logistics (oysters on half shell). The bar staff was very kind and made the sangria even though they had no intentions of doing it, and it was made with XO so it was more of a fruit beer than a sangria. Another family came in and had reserved to have a booster seat. None were available, although a gentleman that is obviously a leader procured one. I was very impressed. Being a Wednesday night, the less experienced waitstaff was present, and we were not immune to this. Our waitress was great yet inexperienced. Finally, the only problem I had. I had the ribeye. It tasted wonderful. I asked for it to be on the rare side of medium rare. I got 80% medium and 20% medium rare. It was delicious, so I conveyed the issue hoping that a lesson would be learned. Guess we shall see. Ultimately, I rated 5 stars due to atmosphere and taste. Had the food not been as good as it was, and with all the issues, I would not have been so generous. This place is new, but will definitely do well as it will be worth the money once they work it out and I...

Zero stars would be too high of a review. As I arrived I was told that I had made a reservation for 2 people instead of six - which logging in to my opentable after the experience I have proof is incorrect as I did make the reservation for six. We were told we could not be accommodated, except for outside. I specifically made this reservation to celebrate a 78th birthday party and chose the restaurant for the ambiance, tablecloths on tables, etc. explained I had one person over 80 with recent knee surgery and needed regular seats yet we were herded to the outside seating on high chairs, on a dilapidated outside table. On our way out we walked through the inside seating where there was an empty table for six, and empty continuous booth seating (with 8 empty seats) . We were told those would be taken by other reservations but in the over 2hr it took for us to have dinner (see below) no one used these 14 available seats inside. The service was HORRIBLE- slow and our food orders were incorrect and cold. The ribeye came by itself without the mac and cheese side that had been ordered. They then proceeded to bring three filets (instead of the two we had ordered) and couldn’t tell which was the 8oz vs the 10oz, let alone know which of the three was medium rare and which was the one ordered well done. The sides to these two filets were doubled. And for the seabass, we requested that the brusells sprouts and carrots be replaced by brocollini - it was not brought out until we reminded them of it (and we were charged as a side instead of it being a replacement for the other veggies not included in the dish). No somelier came to our table, although we asked for the wine menu from the onset, and ordered a bottle of wine. And in spite of them knowing this was a Birthday celebration not even a Happy Birthday was wished by the supervisor who came to give us a half apology for not seating us inside. Let alone a complimentary birthday desert for the birthday lady would be unimaginable for them. I have never been so embarrassed to have invited guests to this restaurant....