The Garden Dallas — Restaurant in Dallas

I have to admit I was initially excited about this Club/Lounge but would soon come to the conclusion it is a VERY DISAPPOINTING TRY at being a GARDEN as advertised. I want to give you the points IMO that were good, ok, has room for improvement with minor adjustments and the bad. I went to THE GARDEN on Friday 07/19 8pm after a long work week expecting to unwind a bit for the $20 buffett well actually it's $23 Im assuming including tax as that was the amount that was billed on my card not including parking ($20)valet but that wasn't the part that caused the disappointment. I want to start off with the GOOD as I can appreciate a club that has an ample amount of security at least 15-20(probably more security than patrons) and checkpoints with metal detectors outside based on the amount of open carry participants(LEGAL AND NOT) who freely display this ability to warrant malice intent.The club is a nice size venue with a huge focus on wall detail and plenty of TVs which is OK but I'm not sure if the space is utilized well 70-80% consist of tables that are similar to seating in a row on an airplane flight as they have a tight chair to bench ratio. The SIZE is good and although they allow 8-12 people per you may feel trapped if you are on the inside of the two entry points , half of the table will need to clear out if there is a need for the restroom, drinks at the bar, dance isle or speak to a potential wife. I loved most of the buffet flavors as the food was seasoned and cooked well and out of the 4 available options of chicken wings, fish, chicken pasta (that was definitely light on the chicken) and chicken thighs(that were spicy to say the least) the fish was the star of the show. There were a few sides that included mac and cheese, greens and one other side that was also pretty good, but the variety HAS ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT WITH MINOR ADJUSTMENTS. NOW the BAD and I guess this only applies if you are expecting to have a few drinks during the evening. The drinks and specials don't begin until 10 for the preferred liquor selections regardless of the advertised $5-$7 and you are left with a watered down version of what appeared to be 8 oz cup of mixed(something)(ice ice baby) withouthout the opportunity to have a tall cup or double anything. I must also add for the club to have less than 30 patrons and 95% of them NOT drinking the bartender appeared to be preoccupied and unfocused on the people frequenting the bar and had an uninviting demeanor. I definitely did not want to order another drink directly from him and maybe because the GRATUITY is automatically added to your ticket quality customer service isn't required. There was a highlight I must admit, there was a lady waitress that was friendly, hospitable and inviting and provided service with a smile and for her although the tip was added already I realized the entire evening was not a wash. In closing I don't know if it was a bad Friday the bartender was having a bad day if his disposition is like so, due to the patronage he is preparing for as I do understand frame of mind and because my experience was not horrible but far from good I will give it another open minded try as I can see the attempt and direction and hope it comes together, maybe on a Sunday brunch.......Sincerely...

Haaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!!! This review is based on their "Lé Garden " buffet experience solely. If you run across their advertisements for the Friday R&B buffet, proceed with caution. Some people enjoy doing stuff or going places just to say they went. I'm not that person. When I pay for something that is advertised, I expect to get what I paid for. I would suggest calling the establishment to verify that the menu being advertised is what is being served before purchasing a ticket because they are selling dreams and illusions. The establishment is a pretty Instagram picture-worthy environment; however, aside from that, disappointment served at your expense. To start, no good free parking nearby, so valet is almost your only option, it's in the design district with many private property warehouses and businesses around, park at your own risk or pay valet which was reasonable, no complaints, they do warn you at the door that if you stay past the buffet cut off time of 9:45 you will be charged again because the facility is now open for the nightclub. Noted. Next, the establishment does not promote "smoking" so I had to return my cigarettes to the car, which is fine, I had no plans of smoking but they couldn't even be in my purse because "they do not promote that", with a serious face the bouncer told me, cool. They give you a ticket for a complementary glass of champagne at 10 pm. Now, the menu. Of the 20 items advertised on the Friday R&B "get turned around at the door for your attire" night buffet, only about 7 of them were present. According to the staff, the menu changes weekly, with no true menu to base your decision, on because what is promoted may not be what is being served, hence the reason I said, call before ticket purchase so you can make an informed decision on how you want to spend your money, now if you're one of those people that like going places just to say you have been, then I guess it doesn't matter, you'll pay anyway. Then, I purchased 2 drinks during happy hours however by the time I got my check the price was back to regular price and let's just say, the sh*t was basic, so if you order a drink during the buffet hours, close your ticket immediately to get happy hour price, because if you sit eating this subpar menu of food offered to you on plastic plates and plastic cutlery you'll end up paying high-end drink prices for non-high end liquor beverages. 3 bathroom stales had broken toilets. And as we left the "we don't promote smoking" establishment, (mind you, the walls are covered in art of celebrities smoking weed) you could smell flavored smoke throughout the building, and discovered they have an enclosed hookah lounge area. I'm thinking, about the no tobacco brought from outside rule, so can't bring my already paid-for cigarettes in here that I had no plans of smoking is because of "a look" or you just want us to pay for exclusivity to smoke what you provide and where you provide, still because of "a look". The DJ was jamming, and I got cute pictures. And no Thanks on the complementary drink, I would have had to pay for it on the back end leaving at 10pm in the parking when I'm trying to leave because he already forewarned me that after 9:45, when he buffet ends I would be charged for the 10-2 hours for...

So I attended a birthday celebration at The Garden. It was Ladies Night. It was advertised there was a happy hour drink specials, $20 buffet and free champagne for ladies all night. When we arrived around 7p, there were cones along the parking spots on the street. So all the free, self parking was blocked by valet. When asked where the self parking was, we were told to go over a few blocks BUT told it wasn’t safe. So, of course, we paid the $20 to valet. (Actually we were guided to park our own car, told to keep the keys and just paid the fee.) I don’t have problem with the cost of valet…I just don’t like that there wasn’t a safe option for those who don’t want to valet.

When we walked up to the venue, there were two metal detectors we had to pass through. (I was thinking, this is probably somewhere I don’t need to be ) After that, you were militantly told to turn around, they frisked us (women). Then we handed over our purses which were basically dumped out and searched. I had a pair of cute bling sandals in my bag in case I needed to change. I was told I could not take them in; I had to wear heels. I had to leave them with security. 🤨 I watch other females walk in with sandals, mules, of all things SNEAKERS. I didn’t like that.

The food was good. There was no happy hour drink specials. My drinks were $17.24 each. They have an automatic gratuity charge, which I think is in very poor taste. Allow people to tip as they feel appropriate. As for the champagne, you were given a ticket at the door. You could not redeem the ticket for a glass of champagne until 10p. (I forgot to mention..at the door you pay $20 cash or they charge you their service fees to use your credit card.)

At 10p, they begin a “reverse” happy hour. I wish I would have taken a picture of the menu. There were maybe three options of shots for $5 and a couple of options for food…that was it. I ordered two shots for the birthday girl. They charged me $18. 🫤 When I brought this to the bartender’s attention, she got an attitude with me and told me it was gratuity. I broke down to her that $10 worth of drinks, plus tax and gratuity is not equivalent to the amount charged. She asked what other drink I wanted. I didn’t want another drink nor anything else from this establishment…I just wanted my change. She pecked on the register with an attitude and threw a portion of my change on the bar. I didn’t even worry about the rest. I was just over it!!

The place is basically empty. Look at the images/videos on social media in detail. Most of them…it’s basically empty. At other places, ladies night typically means…”special treatment” for the ladies. At this spot, it was 95% ladies.

I won’t be back. This venue itself is cool and the food is good but all the drama and rules turned me and...