Eddie V's Prime Seafood — Restaurant in Houston

I have visited this location one other time for my birthday but, I didn't have the opportunity to make note of the restaurant's subtleties because I was too busy visiting and checking on my guests. It's August in Houston and for me, that means Houston Restaurant Weeks (HRW) and dipping my toe in eateries I wouldn't always go to. As mentioned, I have been here before but I didn't have my eyes trained on the finer details.

I also took this opportunity to have a pre-Anniversary dinner with my husband and we decided to go earlier in the evening (around 5pm) to take advantage of a more lowkey environment.

Food: We ordered from their HRW menu; it was $55 p/person with one of our plates receiving a $20 upcharge for a premium steak. Our meals were: (Me) lobster bisque, salmon/veggies and the vanilla ice cream (accompanied by two choco-chip chocolate cookies) and my hubbs had the black pepper shrimp, the upgraded ribeye option and the bananas foster butter cake. I would describe our meals as sufficient and moderately flavored. My hubbs and I ended up sharing the ribeye (22oz.) and the salmon. The starters were both beautifully prepared - the shrimp was fried to golden perfection and benefitted from a light sauce drizzled over it. The bisque was also flavorful and had creme fraiche layered in. There was also a decent piece of lobster added into the broth.

Once the main plates arrived at the table, it was time to taste what Eddie Vs is really known for. My salmon portion couldn't have been more than 6 oz., but along with the shared steak, there was a sufficient amount of protein. The fish plate was accompanied by a few spoonfuls of sautéed spinach and three sauteed baby carrots. The ribeye was accompanied by an "ice cream scoop" full of truffle mashed potatoes. I tasted the potatoes and they were flavorful, but not salty. The steak was cooked to the right temp (a little over for my taste) and it was juicy. But, AGAIN salt was a little lacking. The salmon was cooked well but - you guessed it. Lacking salt. I imagine it would benefit from a herbaceous sauce.

I understand that restaurants cook for the majority of people. When it comes to salt, it is much better to be able to add salt, than to take it away. But, we need a jus, a beurre blanc for the fish - something. I didn't ask but maybe that was an option - but, it shouldn't be an add-on to heighten your experience. At the very least, give a tiny ramekin, maybe.

Drinks: We tried to step out of the box and order specialty drinks but, they turned out to be better suited for the "after-work" fruity HH crowd. One was the "Hope Diamond" (purple and adorned with a large tea-infused ice cube) and then the Red Dragon (mint, strawberry, rum) but we ended up swapping out the "Diamond" for a regular martini. I just took one for the team and drank the Red Dragon; both were much sweeter than our normal fare

Ambiance: It was early in the evening and the restaurant was empty-ish and we were seated in the bar area at a high-top; that area had maybe five other parties enjoying the scene and a singer (a la Will Ferrell lol) playing as part of a trio

Service: Nene/NiNi (sp?) was our server and she was sweet, soft-spoken and very accommodating; she whisked the drink away I spoke about earlier and was quick with the condiments we asked for

Summation: I would come back and dine again, however, I know what to adjust in my order AND to ask for salt or jus (or bring Chacheres in my pocket - #iykyk)

Pros: we received complimentary sparkling wine for our anniversary, chill environment, nice decor, prompt seating, great service, good quality of ingredients

Cons: Salt(free) food - head chef needs to look into layering herb flavors, if you don't want to add salt, saccharin sweet specialty drinks; for a $200 tab, I'm expecting food to be spot on, without having to add salt...

You know it took me a long time to write this, but after my wife asked me where I wanted to go for my upcoming birthday, I smiled and she knew... It was of course going to be Eddie V.s, but then we both immediately stopped in the moment and said no! The manager dismissed my wife after reaching out about the rude waiter the last time there. Our regular waiter, we always request, was out and we changed our evening plans last minute. We were set to try something for restaurant weeks, but decided on our regular goto instead. When my wife asked about the Restaurant Week menu, since it was that time of year, he seemed dismissive. Enrique knows us and our likes and suggests things in line and even brings fruit for our toddler, when we took him,. We rarely get evenings to ourselves and he is now in that stage, where we don't want to bring him with us to a restaurant like this anymore. But anyway, the waiter we had was rude, left us without refilling our glasses and when my wife received the halibut from the RW menu, after receiving a smaller portion of the bisque than described, she asked him what they were thinking. She was paying considerably more than her regular order for the novelty of trying something different and it was a joke. The fish was a sliver on a bed of fufued veggies and looked like something out of tongue-in-cheek French inspired Top Chef bistro nonsense. Think of sashimi instead of Halibut steak. He dismissed her concerns and there was no manager visit. She reached out instead of a review and after being told someone would contact her, she moved on. She received a call days later and the manager was dismissive as well and told her he assured her the waiter was not acting that way and that he take our feedback back to the staff. What? How about a true apology and an appetizer or glass of wine next time we come in. We would get that anyway by simply telling our regular waiter, but it is the gesture. We don't go to Eddie V.s for a cheap date night. In fact, as mentioned, we bring the whole family at times and drop serious coin. One should never be felt as if they don't belong based on what they order, or left to fend for themselves after ordering an all-inclusive meal. But to leave us thirsty when he could have been upselling wine and spirits was just silly. He was rude, the manager was unprofessional and we wish Enrique the best. Not saying we won't be back, but it will be because the family forces us back. BTW-I used to frequent the Town and Country location and always felt like everything was top notch. Never sent anything back or questioned. We'll go out of the way to visit Jeremy and his...

While the steak at Eddie V’s Steakhouse didn't quite meet my expectations, the exceptional service provided by the waiter truly made the dining experience worthwhile.

Let's start with the positives. Our waiter was outstanding in every aspect. From the moment we were seated, they made us feel welcome and attended to our needs with genuine care and attention. Their knowledge of the menu was extensive, and they were able to provide insightful recommendations based on our preferences. Their friendly and personable demeanor created a warm and inviting atmosphere that enhanced our overall dining experience.

The waiter's attentiveness was commendable. They ensured that our glasses were always filled, promptly addressed any concerns or requests, and checked in on us regularly. Their commitment to providing excellent service was evident throughout our time at the restaurant.

However, the same level of excellence did not extend to the quality of the steak itself. While it was decent, it fell short of the high standards I had anticipated. The steak lacked the desired tenderness and juiciness that one would expect from a top-tier steakhouse. The flavor was somewhat ordinary, missing the depth and complexity that can elevate a steak to greatness. It was an average culinary experience that left me desiring more.

Despite the underwhelming steak, the exceptional service provided by the waiter salvaged the overall dining experience. Their professionalism, attentiveness, and knowledge contributed significantly to the enjoyment of the evening.

In terms of ambiance, the steakhouse was pleasant with a cozy and inviting atmosphere. The décor was tasteful, creating an intimate setting for a relaxed dining experience.

In summary, Eddie V’s Steakhouse may not have delivered on the steak front, but the exceptional service provided by our waiter made a significant impact. While the culinary experience was mediocre, the outstanding service elevated the overall dining experience. If you value attentive and knowledgeable service above all else, Eddie V’s Steakhouse may be worth a visit. Just be prepared for a steak that may not meet the highest of expectations.

Note: This review reflects my personal experience and is based on the date of my visit. The quality of the steak and service may vary over time, so it's always best to check for the latest reviews or visit the...