McRae's American Bistro & Cocktails — Restaurant in Dallas

/////McRae's reached out to address this issue, and we are appreciative./////

We have eaten at McRae's before, and reviewed them positively under the spouse's account. But rather than edit that one, we're posting my review as this was a ROUGH experience, and we feel management needs to know. We have a pretty good idea that by the end of Valentine's night they'll know, but this was not a positive experience for us.

The Valentine's special was a Prix Fixe meal, but things started poorly when the appetizers arrived. The deviled eggs were only one egg, halved, unlike the three in the normal appetizer portion. The crostini were slightly stale, although the topping was nice.

The lobster bisque soup was the first real issue. Between our table and the two flanking us, 5 bisques were ordered. Only two were finished, with the other three sent back for overly salted flavour. And no one was brought a spoon. We all had to ask for spoons. For soup.

Then, well, the main course. There were only four options. We ordered the ravioli and the surf and turf. It was almost an hour in our seats when the server brought the ravioli and ... halibut. So, back went the food and we waited another ten minutes for the server to bring back surf and turf and ... halibut. sigh When the food was finally correct the surf and turf, having toured the floor and been looked over by managers was room temperature, both the steak and lobster tail were cold. They were taken away and we presume microwaved. The menu mentions Fresno pepper on a few things, but no spices are mentioned with the lobster, yet ours was spicy, enough to burn the wife's lips. Cross contamination? Kitchen implements handling the wrong foods?

We know management were aware, we watched the server take the plates to them and look over at us in discussion. No manager ever dropped by. Not even to apologise for the delay.

We should mention here we were offered a cocktail as a comp, but we didn't want a drink, we had one each and that was all we wanted.

And on that note, the gin and tonic I ordered was apparently Bombay Sapphire, but that was, frankly, the most plain, watery G&T I've had since college. There was no bite to the tonic, no fizz to it, and even after finishing, I never tasted the gin. Bombay Sapphire? Done a disservice. And having offered us a $13 cocktail as compensation, and we declined, neither of the other drinks were comped.

So, having booked a 5.15 table, arrived at 5.05 and expected to leave shortly after 6, we had to rush the server to bring our desserts to go and the cheque and scraped out right at 7.

We want McRae's to be the place to go for special meals. But we don't expect to ever go back for a New Year, or Thanksgiving or Valentines meal. This was absolutely, positively not worth the time, frustration and effort.

Two meals, two mostly dissatisfied customers (all three tables in our cluster were very, very patient and polite) and $240 later. Probably our last...

We really enjoyed McRae's, a bit of an anomaly this far North up Garland Ave.

The issue you come across with an upscale place like this is that you better be exactly on point with everything. With a few exceptions, McRae's is.

Wife and I enjoyed our cocktails. A Blackberry 76 and an East side were really fresh tasting, with no apparent alcohol, but they were certainly strong. A sign of great mixology.

The deviled eggs pleased the wife, who loves them. And her quail were juicy, very difficult to do when such a small bird is grilled. The green beans, gouda grits and mashed potatoes with proper dark gravy all excelled.

The filet, however, was a bit of a disappointment. With a poor cut (several veins of light gristle) it was rare (to the point of not even being cooked, a rare+ in most establishments) and the seared exterior was poor. While flavoured well, there was little savoury flavour to the outer edges that had only a few bites of that iron skillet flavour we all want.

And it was dry. There was nothing of the cooking oil or butter, and apparently this is an upcharge, to receive it au poivre. So plan on getting the $41 filet, rather than the $36 if you opt for it.

The decor and the setting are definitively Americana, and with owner Mr. McRae's experience, this is intentional. There is little space, and even only 1/5 full on a Saturday eve (the rush yet to arrive) it was rather loud.

The let down of the filet (I have made far better at home in an iron skillet with butter, salt and pepper, a major disappointment) is an aberrance. We love everything else about the food, and we're looking forward to brunch. I am particularly excited about the Bloody Mary bar. And you may find the filet to be exactly what you wanted.

There are no desserts, though. This, in itself is a crime worthy of a lost star. But in combination with the filet and the total lack of draught beer (c'mon, a Blood and Honey on tap and you're a real top quality bar) it's a definite loss.

Dinner for two, with one appetiser, two entrees, two cocktails and a...

What an unexpected delight! From the front this place looks like a small little dive. But once you go through the door you are treated to an eclectic upscale but comfortable experience. I immediately smiled! The multiple chandeliers caught my eye and made me chuckle. They are all mismatched and fabulous! The restaurant is long and skinny. Like the old timey places in New York and Chicago. Dark and moody on the inside and bright and cheery on the patio. We sat on the patio and had a table by the stockroom/frig. There was a employee traffic going in and out past us the whole time- to get to their supplies. The patio is charming and has lots of old timey posters and art. It feels cozy & relaxing. Though the place has an upscale feel to it, including the menu, it is not stuffy at all. We had on jeans and there were several people in shorts and sun dresses. You can also enter from the back patio and walk up to the front to check in if parking is full in the front. Back parking is plentiful. The playlist was really fun and we enjoyed "naming that tune". The wait staff was perfection. Happy employees, attentive but not too much so. They work well together! Cocktails were scrumptious. They also sell cigars (humidor) and have afterhours smoking on the patio. The bar inside has an old world feel to it. My husband had the shrimp and grits and he loved it. He said it was the best he had ever eaten. We shared a side of grilled mushrooms which were so so good!. I had the rotinni and seafood. It was beautifully presented and plentiful but had no flavor. Both of us commented on how dry & tough the shrimp were in our dishes. I would not get this dish again. I had creme brulee which could not have been better and my husband had the cake and strawberries, which he said was decadent. We were glad to try out McCraes and plan on...