Blackstones Steakhouse — Restaurant in Greenwich

Not sure where to start. Booked a dinner for v day, when I looked at my reservation there was a note to call for details concerning parking (as I am aware the parking situation near the top of Greenwich ave can be tricky.) When I called I was simply told "we don't have any parking, park on the street". Not a big deal to me just found it funny they made a note that they had private parking, but told me otherwise. We showed up about 5-10 minutes early to our reservation, we were seated promptly, and it did not seem too busy when we had first arrived (a number of empty tables available). We got water right away, and menus. After about 10 minutes our server finally came to ask us if we wanted wine or drinks, I had requested a drink menu from him to which he responded "no, but I can make whatever drink you want". Ironically he was able to make my drink but not the drink with crown royal apple my gf had asked for. After we had received our drinks, we were left unattended for about 40 minutes with failed attempts of trying to grab their attention. (not checked on by bussers or our server) in this time period, we became only more frustrated to see people that had arrived after us, already receiving their appetizers before we even ordered ours, as well as other tables being checked on multiple times. After we finally had someone come to refill out water, only then was it that we told them to have our server come back to our table. When he finally came back he had no apology for leaving us unattended for so long and had only asked "are you guys ready to order?" As if nothing wrong had happened. After our order was placed (almost about an hour in at this point) both our appetizers and food came out in a reasonably timely fashion, and was pretty good overall. At no point during our meal, were we asked if everything was alright (pretty standard stuff if you ask me). Side note: during our meal we had noticed that the couple sitting next to us was looking at a cocktail menu that we had requested from the beginning, but was never given.. After we had finished our meal and our busser came to clear our table , it was probably about another 20 minutes before (who I believe was the manager) come ask us if we would like dessert, to which I declined and asked for the check. After he left our table, instead of going to grab our check. I watched him start to clear off other tables and set them up, and go around to help other tables for about 10 minutes, until I made eye contact with him, only for him to return and ask "did you get your check yet?" At this point I was almost amused with how terrible the service was. Once we finally got our check and I let them run my card I got an automated text to see that had charged me and automatically added a 20% gratuity. I obviously felt that they definitely did not earn a 20% gratuity, I still did leave them a tip, I will have to see if the amount they originally charged me gets finalized, or it will be adjusted to the tip I left, in any case , I am extremely disappointed with Blackstone Greenwich, definitely will not recommend, or return. I am also still convinced that I received poor service partly because we were a young couple and possibly the server believed I would not tip well. I did end up leaving a small tip, not because I couldn't afford to tip them well, but rather because the amount I tipped, reflected the...

I only write reviews when I feel strongly about someplace one way or the other. I have been to Blackstones a few times over the last 5 years that I've lived in Greenwich and I remember in the past thinking it was okay but not being blown away by anything in particular. Well, last night was a completely different experience, and it was all about the food. The bone-in ribeye was one of the best steaks I've had in a very long time... and I've had quite a few. It was massive, it was tender, it was juicy and flavorful, it was charred to perfection, and it was cooked to the precise temperature that I had requested - which is a very big deal for me when paying for a $75 steak, and something even the best steakhouses in the city have trouble accomplishing consistently. I also got a baked potato, which was the size of a Winnebago. I'm uploading a picture of the whole combo, which I had to take in extra wide angle just to fit everything in.

I'll mention last what I started with... a classic iceberg wedge salad. I've uploaded a picture of that as well, as it was a true work of art. Another Flintstones-sized portion, it came with giant tomato slices, an entire head of iceberg lettuce, and chunks of the juiciest "bacon bits" 1/4 inch in diameter... I could've eaten a whole plate of those alone. Oh, and it was topped with a piping hot stack of delicious house made onion rings. That salad could have easily been the whole meal unto itself. It was all I could do to tackle about half of everything, and the other halves all came home with me.

I was there around 7-8pm on a Saturday. I had no reservation. There were only a couple tables occupied, so I had no trouble sitting right down. By the time I left the atmosphere was vibrant but the place was only about half full. Based on my prior experiences this did not surprise me. It was always good, but expensive and it never blew me away. However something has definitely changed. Based on my experience last night, I won't be surprised if this place is soon rediscovered as one of the gems...

Not sure if the mediocre food quality was due to the fact we dined on a Thursday (as opposed to Fri - Sun), we used a Groupon coupon or the food is regularly mediocre, but in the end, it was nothing to write a postcard about.

First the good - the ambience is fantastic. They've obviously given thought to acoustics, music, lighting and interior design.

The staff was a mix of friendly and fun with rushed and sloppy (one server spilling some water and not apologizing). Mostly, the portions were gigantic but the quality questionable. My salmon was somehow dry even though it wasn't dry. It was like it had been defrosted and the water in the meat prevented it from being dried out, but it was chewy and chalky. The sauce on the steak was full of flavor and definitely stole the show from the actual meat.

The side of creamed spinach was .. creamy, salty and yummy. Our brussel sprouts were waaay overcooked and mushy, still edible for sure, but there was more dark brown and black than green. It would have been nice to have some crispiness to the vegetable. The little bits of ham in it saved the day. Woah - those were tasty.

The desserts were a let down, not that they tasted horribly but the chocolate cake was like something you could buy in the frozen dessert section of the supermarket.

Also, though the groupon seemed like a good idea, in the end, after calculating what we would have spent, we saved maybe like $20 or so (since you tip on an inflated price).

I would come back here for drinks, or if I needed to have a conversation and knowing I will be able to hear my companions. I would not come back for the...