Five stars isn’t enough to capture how incredible our dining experience was today.
I decided to treat my mom to a nice dinner, and I had heard great things about 1933 Lounge from others I know. I’m glad I picked here to eat!
The ambiance was the first thing I noticed. It screams speakeasy in the best way possible while still being relaxing. There’s a variety of seating styles from regular tables to couches to high-tops. We got a regular table, and the chairs were very comfortable, making it easy for us to relax and take in everything around us.
Our server, Richard, was fantastic and hilarious. He added to the experience by being professional while adding in sparks of hilarity to make us comfortable and at ease. I had him surprise me with his choice of a zero-proof cocktail at the beginning and a dessert at the end. Richard stuck with a consistent theme and nailed it on his recommendations. He also went out of his way to provide my mom additional utensils just in case she wanted to try my starter or dessert.
The zero-proof cocktail I was recommended was the blue basil spritz. The flavor profile was very well-balanced, with blueberry being the star of the show while still letting lemon and basil come through as well.
I ordered the USDA strip steak with a loaded baked potato and navy bean soup. The soup came out first, and I’m not exaggerating or being dramatic when I say it’s the best soup I’ve ever had in my life. It was very flavorful, and all the ingredients complement each other very well. I underestimated the size of the steak, because my goodness was it huge. It was amazing, with plenty of juiciness and a good marble on top. I got my steak cooked medium well, and it was cooked to perfection. It was also easy to cut through and chew on without being underdone. The loaded baked potato lived up to its first word, with plenty of toppings to make it very enjoyable. The portion sizes for everything were appropriate for the price point in my opinion.
My mom got the king crab grilled cheese, and she really enjoyed it! I tried a small bite, and I thought it was good. She accompanied it with a caesar salad, to which she said was good. (I didn’t try it only because I had my own food to worry about!)
At the end, Richard picked out the white chocolate blueberry bread pudding for us. When I tell you that they don’t skimp out on the portions for this dessert, I say that with my whole chest. The presentation was very well-done, and the flavor profile was divine. All the elements harmonized well together. I personally was expecting a much-thinner base, but I’m genuinely happy with what we were given.
The food presentation really stood out, with everything looking attractive and well-thought-out with placement and proximity. I also enjoyed the fact that we were given a larger vase-like glass to refill our waters so that we didn’t have to bother our server constantly for refills.
Overall, our dining experience was phenomenal. It is on the pricier side admittedly, but you’re paying for high-quality food and a delightful atmosphere. We will make it a point to come back soon to try out some of the other dishes that we didn’t get to today!
If you’re in the area and you’re looking for a pleasant dining experience on the higher end, I highly recommend trying out...
Read moreOn Saturday, after enjoying a delicious dinner at my favorite Italian restaurant in Fishers (food was amazing as always, unfortunately it came with less-than-stellar service that evening ) , my girlfriend and I decided to continue the evening with some after-dinner drinks. We headed over to 1933 Lounge by St. Elmo, a place I had never visited before but one my girlfriend had experienced a few times, appreciating the atmosphere and service they are known for.
Upon arriving, we were promptly greeted and quickly seated in a small, intimate lounge area. The vibe of the place was fantastic, and I was looking forward to enjoying a few drinks. However, after being seated, we waited 8 minutes with no acknowledgment from the staff. My girlfriend was ready to leave, but I was enjoying the ambiance and decided to stick it out. I started a timer on my phone, and it was another 7 minutes before anyone came to our table. When the server finally arrived, she didn’t mention the wait time, which was disappointing. Given the reputation of 1933 and their connection to a well-regarded sister restaurant in Indianapolis, I expected better service, especially given the pricing that suggests a commitment to quality.
I politely asked to speak with the manager, and Julie arrived quickly. We had an excellent conversation, and she did exactly what I needed and I believe any customer hopes for in a situation like this, she listened. Just being heard made a big difference, and it was enough to make me want to return. I’m not someone who looks for compensation when things go wrong; I just want my concerns acknowledged.
We stayed and enjoyed our espresso martinis. When we checked out, the drinks had been comped, which wasn’t necessary, but the server explained it was a gesture from the manager to make up for the subpar service, especially as a first-time guest. I insisted on tipping the server, despite the service hiccup. As a former server myself, I understand how demanding the job can be, and I appreciated that she was likely just busy, not intentionally neglectful.
The experience didn’t end there. I was asked to leave my number and I received a follow-up call from the manager the next morning. I was busy that Sunday and didn’t get a chance to return the initial call, however I received a follow up call the following day from the general manager, Wendy. That’s amazing customer care. She was incredibly kind and attentive, making sure to address the situation and ensure I would give 1933 another chance. Wendy even offered to send a gift card, which I appreciated, although the gesture wasn’t necessary. She insisted as her genuine concerns for her guests and commitment to upholding the restaurant’s reputation was evident.
Overall, 1933 Lounge by St. Elmo proved to be an outstanding establishment that truly values its customers. They turned a disappointing start into a positive experience, and I’m looking forward to returning. It's refreshing to see a business stand by its commitment to quality service, ensuring that patrons feel they are getting their money’s worth. Thank you Julie, Wendy and The 1933 Lounge by St. Elmo establishment for setting an excellent example of what customer...
Read moreBased on both location and as a long-time lover of St. Elmo, we thought we'd give 1933 a try. Open two years, it's a brand extension for the Huse dining group- but, if you really want St. Elmo, get a reservation and drive downtown for the iconic experience because this isn't St. Elmo. You can't do 3.5 stars, which is what our rating would be if we could, 3 stars for the food and a terrible table location, pulled back up to 4 by excellent service from our server Matthew on this visit. Things started out very smoothly, we arrived early and were escorted to two wonderful high back leather chairs adjacent to the bar, with the hostess noting our location so that they could find us easily when our table was ready. Unfortunately, we then had to go on a search ourselves for a server to get drinks while we waited. When we were shown to our table it was immediately adjacent to the kitchen entrance- avoid this unless you enjoy a great view of the kitchen area punctuated by the heavy sliding of the metal door as the staff flows in and out. We started with the often-mentioned and must-try shrimp cocktail (signature hot and spicy cocktail sauce, 4 large shrimp, $16.95) and the Navy Bean Soup. Since soup or tomato juice is included with an entree, Matthew made the adjustment promptly to our tab. We ordered the 45 day dry-aged Ribeye ($60, $5 upcharge from the regular Ribeye) which was done to medium as ordered, and as you would expect from any premium steakhouse. We also had the Grilled Salmon (described as sourced from the Bay of Fundy between New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, $32) which is served with house-made remoulade and we substituted a baked potato (with everything is a $4 upcharge) for the mashed potatoes. The salmon was fine, but a dill sauce might have been a better accompaniment as we avoided the remoulade. Perhaps the most interesting taste of the night was the Creamed Corn Brulee, caramelized sugar on top with jalapeño bits in the creamed corn- very good sweet and savory side. According to Matthew it is the most polarizing item on the menu, guests either love it or hate it. Finally, I would mention an interesting drink from the bar. We enjoyed the "Liquid Love Affair", described as "fabulously fruity and fun" (Stoli Vanilla, passion fruit and pineapple, topped with sparkling wine, $13) and a nice holiday...
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