Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar — Restaurant in Houston

First, let me preface this review by saying that I live near Flemming's, and, at one time, was a regular. The chain is owned by outback Steakhouse and, like many restaurants, Flemming's now takes direction from "corporate." Sometimes this works, sometimes not. In the case of Flemming's, I'm not sold.

So here are some suggestions for making your dining experience with Flemming's a very good one.

Unless you're on a corporate card and not paying the bills, you will experience sticker shock, which is why the restaurant caters to corporate accounts. Everything is a la carte, which means that when you order an 8-ounce fillet, you will see it sitting alone in the middle of a plate all by itself along with a $43 price tag. Start adding extras and the price goes up exponentially. For these prices you would think the beef would be the best in the country, but it isn't. On my last visit, the prep was off by a long shot [meat was dry] and the cuts themselves aren't exactly star worthy. Then there's the wine scam. Kim Crawford, for example, retails for under $20 anywhere in town, but they charge roughly $60 a bottle, or $15/glass -- almost the price of a bottle. The restaurant simply cannot make money on wine so they gouge assuming you don't care because you're not personally paying the bills or you won't notice. So now you have a $43 fillet and a $15 glass of wine and your bill is already almost $60 without any extras, including a second or 3rd glass of wine. Now double this with a date, for example, and you are not getting out of this place for under $180 plus tip, which tilts the scales over $200! Okay, so now we know the food is not 5-star and the wine is overpriced. So order a vodka tonic, instead. I can't help you with the fillet price and prep.

The last item that cannot go unmentioned is that there appears to be confusion between the wait staff and the people who actually deliver the food. I'll leave it at that.

As for the good stuff, the staff is amazing; always very helpful, attentive, friendly, knowledgeable and accommodating -- if a bit overbearing when it comes to pushing more and more drinks on you.

The restaurant is also in a great part of town and the decor is warm and inviting. I'm also told that the bar area is slated for expansion, which is great news as the bar gets very crowded and noisy.

Will I return? Absolutely. Would I recommend it? Absolutely.

Suggestion: Order one of their delicious -and very cold - wedge salads with a vodka tonic and enjoy the atmosphere and...

We have been going to Fleming's for many years between here at this Alabama St location and at the City Centre location, Fleming's has always been our favorite restaurant, and we never had an issue before, especially the service has always been excellent, except for last Friday at this location!! We never have a problem paying for good food and service but we will not be coming back to this location!!

We left the restaurant very frustrated and disappointed. Friday was my birthday and my husband made the reservation since a week before and we have celebrated birthdays before at Fleming's and wow it was such a different experience. For starters we didn't know they allowed dogs outside in the patio, and the table next to us had 2 dogs, but we wanted to sit outside so we stayed.

Now, the worse part was the service, it was beyond mediocre! Our waitress was not attentive at all and after taking our food order we didn't see her until the end when it was time to bring the check. Another person brought the food out and after starting to eat NO ONE came by to ask if our food was correct or good or anything! No one came to ask if we wanted another glass of wine or if we wanted dessert to put in the order before finishing our meal, NOTHING! The food was ok, the bread was good but in general we have had better food from Fleming's, the mac n cheese was really runny, the spinach was bland and the steak was a lot smaller than normal and my husband's steak had a big piece of fat. We were waiting to see if our waitress will come out but nothing, so I looked at a waitress at another table when we were finishing eating and she came by and it wasn't even her table to ask if everything was ok, but at this time we were already frustrated so after thinking about dessert we just asked for the check.

To make things worse was that a few minutes before leaving a manager came out and talked to another table next to us and not even stopped at our table, the common courtesy is to check on all tables and especially if there is a special occasion as a birthday. So we decided just to pay and leave and we are the type of customers that we don't mind paying good money for good quality food and especially for excellent service, we always tip above 20% for great service but unfortunately you receive for the type of service you give and wow this was horrible! Have to say that I did not fully enjoy my birthday dinner and this location needs some major improvements for us to...

Average food at a VERY above average price.

We went here around 5pm and were greeted warmly. The restaurant was completely empty, not a single other customer inside. The server was very good, attentive, and personable.

The Fleming's salad, for $18, was small and plain. Decent dressing but certainly no different than standard side salads that regular restaurants offer for around $4. 3/10 salad overall.

The bread was absolutely amazing. The true best part of the meal by far. Hot, crispy, and chewy. 10/10 bread.

The wedge salad was good, also $18 but much nicer than the Fleming's salad. Too much dressing though. 8/10 wedge.

The double breast of chicken was mediocre at best. Almost no flavor at all. The chicken was tender and cooked properly. The mushroom sauce had zero flavor and looked like dirty dishwater. 3/10 chicken.

The filet mignon was OK...not seasoned at all. The meat quality was decent, but certainly not worth $63. The flavor was on par with Texas Roadhouse filet but not seasoned nearly as well. 4/10 steak.

The mac and cheese was very good and decadent. Extremely cheesey and good overall flavor. 8/10 mac and cheese.

The chocolate lava cake was very good, some of the best out there. 9/10 lava cake.

The drinks were good, but not incredible. Id say standard overall for a high end steakhouse.

The total bill for 4 people was just a shade under $500.

In totality, Fleming's has a good ambiance and excellent service. The food, however, is definitely sub par, especially for the money. The value factor here is very low, 2/10 to be generous. The actual food itself was lacking depth of flavor, especially the meats. The Fleming's salad was an absolute joke at $18.

Overall, if you want a really good higher end steakhouse, this is NOT the one. There are many other choices that offer a far better value for the money and just plain MUCH...