The Tavern Kitchen & Bar — Restaurant in Valley Park

This was the first time our group of 4 has been to this establishment. Patron age range was mostly 60+ with a smattering of much younger people, few seemed to be in their 30s/40s/50s (we’re late 30s/early 40s). This tends to reflect dulling or inexperienced pallets so we were wary being the Foodies we are. It was also strange for a “steakhouse” to have a heavily Asian influenced menu - especially given the name. We didn’t perceive them as a steakhouse when we looked at the menu prior to our reservation.

Presentation is on point with this establishment, utilizing various sized butcher boards and low, deep, modern dinnerware. The ambiance is upbeat but intimate with dim warm lighting.

It is apparent they enjoy creating their cocktails. Excellent and unique selection of cocktails, but a mediocre wine selection. I settled on the Moniker Chardonnay to start with and Justin Cabernet Sauvignon with the meal. None of us finished the evening with an after dinner drink.

The house made bread was amazing! It reminded us of a mix of a sheet pan of garlic bread and stuffing combined. Very unique but fantastic. It was served on a small butcher block fitted in a cast iron it was baked in.

We then started with 2 sushi rolls. Very sweet and garnished with micros and underwhelming. The horseradish block had zero kick but the pickled ginger was good - tart and crisp.

3 of us got the lobster bisque, and all agreed the crispy lobster was great and a pleasant surprise while still remaining tender, but the bisque itself was watery and just no. We couldn’t actually place why we didn’t like it other than it was watery.

The reservation was at 8 and unfortunately we didn’t get our dinner until 930. Now we only had a half hour to enjoy our meal and have dessert because they close at 10.

1 of us got the Wagyu burger (it didn’t say the grade so I PROMISE you that wagyu was cut with some American grade cattle beef and especially at the cheap price they had it). My husband ordered it medium and it came out medium rare. Being a wagyu mix the meat will already be more tender and juicy, so it was overly messy being medium rare. If it was a steak he’d absolutely appreciate the meat and order it between rare-medium rare. He thinks it would’ve been better cooked longer but finished it noting the bacon jam was great.

The rest of us got the ribeye special. Only 1 came out correctly. I asked for mine medium rare and it came out medium well. I ate maybe an 1/8 of because it just wasn’t good. The rest of the dish was served with a FANTASTIC charred leek purée, roasted broccolini, and hasselback potatoes. The potatoes had a good char on them but they were under seasoned. The center of them had zero flavor. It got boxed up for leftovers for my husband.

The other person ordered his a smidge before medium rare closer to rare and it came out medium rare. He finished it but we all agreed the special wasn’t anything to rave about.

The server, I believe her name was Carmen, Carly? I feel terrible forgetting her name because she was amazing. None of this was her fault. She was personable, attentive, funny, and gracious. The house manager also was incredible and attentive. We did not ask for my meal to be comped because we had every intention of taking it home for my husband to have the next day, but she insisted on comping the steak meal. We let her know we didn’t expect that but it was appreciated.

We still proceeded with dessert and got the crème brûlée and a chocolate pudding cake. Both were great and the brûlée was served in the cutest squat mason jar with the ring still on. Our server also comped the desserts. We were not expecting that at all but she said it was because the kitchen was taking awhile and I think they felt bad about the meal. Again - not expected one bit that she did that.

All in all, we had a good time and our server definitely was outstanding. The waitstaff seems very attentive to their tables and personable. We collectively agreed we would like try give them a second chance - maybe the kitchen was just having an...

I had a very poor experience here. My fiancé and I decided to go on a date night so we made a reservation, got dressed up, and drove 30 minutes to The Tavern. We were seated immediately and our waitress came over and gave us bread and filled our water glasses. She then asked if we wanted drinks, we had JUST sat down so we said oh we’ll look at the menu and she said ok I’ll be back. Then an older couple was sat next to us and our waitress went to greet them and they ordered drinks so she took their drink orders, walked away and came back a few minutes later with their drinks. She still had not come back to get our drink order so I assumed she’d come take our order after giving them their drinks but instead she stayed at their table to read them the specials. I thought ok so she’ll come get our drink orders when she finishes reading them the specials... but no. The couple then began to order their food and so we were ignored for 15 minutes without even ordering our drinks. Finally she came over and asked if we wanted drinks but by then we were ready to order our meal so we ordered everything. My fiancé ordered a sangria which took 8-10 mins to get to us. When our food came out it was delivered by someone else (not our waitress) and she didn’t come by so we had to go ask someone else to bring us salt. I ordered the filet of beef and it had NO flavor, it was over cooked so it had a burnt taste and it was juicy but flavorless. For $36 I was expecting something amazing but I would rather be eating an $18 filet from Outback! My fiancé liked his dish (ahi tuna flourtine). We were more than half way down with our food by the time our waitress checked in. We paid and left. I was just so disappointed for being treated so poorly. I believe the couple next to us who got amazing service was related to one of the waiters or something (overhead from the waiters) and my fiancé and I look very young, so I guess the waitress probably just didn’t care about giving us good service. I hope she enjoyed the 20% tip we left her even though she didn’t deserve it (i was a waitress for 4 years so I will never tip poorly no matter what). I will never...

03/25 update Went back to dinner with another couple this evening. The drinks were terrible (1st dirty martini had no olive juice, 2nd was all olive juice). They were out of the white wine I ordered. Appetizers were served super quickly, which was hopeful. We then waited a full hour for our meals. And, my filet mignon was served over cooked; (completely brown and dry and even worse - cold. As in, I put my hand on it and it was not even warm to the touch) I cut thru the center in hopes that the brisquet might be ok in the center but it was thoroughly overcooked. They offered to make me a new meal; however, they reheated the entire same plate and served it back to me. I know it was the same because I had cut thru the center of the steak and I had taken one bite of the potatoes and it was the exact same plate..the food was not even moved..so it seems very likely that they microwaved it!! Who microwaves an overcooked filet mignon? Our friends had ordered a side of Brussel sprouts, which were brought to the table uncooked and literally refrigerator cold. SO dissapointing. Not sure we will go back given the vast amount of dining options at this price point.

Absolutely amazing dinner. Jake was a fabulous server and knew the menu inside out. Incredibly attentive, but not intrusive. Fresh baked bread to begin our meal was wonderful. Ceaser salad was so tasteful and easily enough to share. Great wine and whiskey selection. Ample pours. The Filet steak was prepared perfectly...I mean perfectly! The surf and turf tasting board was wonderful and everything was prepared to be flavorful and hot. The veggies were seasoned and cooked to perfection. We had carrot cake for dessert.. it was served cooked with cream cheese icecream that was surprisingly delicious. Ambiance was comfortable, upscale, trendy. Great date night or dinner out with friends. They split the restaurant into rooms so it's not overly loud. They have a cute outdoor patio for outside seating or you can select to sit at the chef's table if you prefer. I don't usually give five stars, but this...