The White Linen — Restaurant in Topeka

This place could be really nice. We expected that "The White Linen" would have white linen tablecloths... not so.

They start with a tiny dish of popcorn and a complimentary sip of champagne. It may be that with egg prices so high, the traditional bread offering is off the table.

One of the salads seems to have been sitting for a while as the dressing had hardened and stuck to the plate. It was not a great start.

Some of the food was undercooked. For example, a steak ordered medium rare came out rare. The server acknowledged it was very rare and took it back to the kitchen. When it came back from the kitchen, it was still rare and also cold. There was no heated plate, and the side was also cold. It was very disappointing for such a nice cut of meat.

The server asked if we were dining for a special occasion, which we were. We let her know, and they did absolutely nothing about it. Not that they have to... but then don't ask! Every high-end steakhouse we have been to for a special occasion will follow through on their curiosity and do something to make it even more special.

Unfortunately, this spot did not live up to the previous...

We had such high expectations of this place. We had reservations for 730, party of 8. We arrived 10 minutes early and was told they were busier than expected and our table was not ready but they had no bar to wait at. We had to wait in the hallway until a member of their "speak easy" in our group arrived. It is a room that is nice, has private lockers with names on them and they are all men. It looks like a cigar lounge without the smell. Someone eventually came in to get us a drink but he kept leaving. We did not get seated until almost 9pm, one and a half hours past reservations. A couple in out party from Kansas City whom had two young children had to leave and ate a burger on the way home. When we were seated the service was focused more on the "member" than all the guests. Once the food started coming out it was not all together and it was not hot, slightly warm. My husband ordered the steak (only one on menu), and it was over done and cold. I had the scallops and risotto I believe and again not hot. The price is not low and the ambiance is dark and quaint. I am not planning on going back unless it is a company event, I am...

Excellent experience. Course 1, The charcuterie board was a wonderful way to start the meal, generous portions and a varied selection. Course 2, Caesar salad was good, but I feel the wedge style salad is becoming dated. Course 3, The cauliflower soup was velvety and filled with flavor of fresh cauliflower, I like the mineral notes that the micro greens added. Course 4, beef tenderloin was cooked to a perfect med-rare. The creamed leaks were delightfully tender and delicious, however, very rich. The crab topper extended the depth of flavor and continued the decadent vibe of the course. The Cajun cream sauce had a nice spice note that helped to cut the over-the-top richness of the dish, again micro greens were utilized to add an earthy mineral note. I had a vodka martini around the third course and found it thoughtfully mixed, the preparation, well executed. Overall this was an exceptional meal, albeit erring on the side of richness and excessive decadence. To provide a personal critique. My palette is unique, as are all, I would have liked some component of acidity to cut the overwhelmingly creamy and fatty elements of the...