10/10/09

My First Dining Experience

by BeccaJane

This was my first dining experience at Fleming's. It was my son's 33rd birthday. There were 10 of us in our party. We were seated at a round top that comfortably accomodated all of us altho we had to reach or request someone to pass the salt, sugar, etc., as there was only 1 set-up at the table.. The decor was lovely, it was very clean, linens and table settings elegant. Our server was professional and eager to please. It would have been nice if A) we could have heard/understood what he was saying over the noise, B) we could have heard each OTHER (even the person sitting next to us) over the noise, C) there was more than 3 fingers separating us from the person at the next table, and D) THE NOISE!!! Waitstaff needed a megaphone to be heard or should have circumvented the table repeating the "specials" to each of us because no one could hear what he was saying! The food was very good (I had the seared scallops with a side of mac 'n cheese), but all-in-all I paid $28.95 for 8 scallops and what was supposed to be a puff of vegetables (I recognized the puff but couldnt' find the veggies even though I looked very hard!) and a couple of slices of a small bread loaf. We shared our sides all around, which was a good thing so that we all could have something to go with our entree. Others' portions were adequate (most ordered steaks). Might I suggest that, for the prices being charged, each entree should come with at least a dinner salad, THEN charge extra for the other sides. The provided a lovely "sampler" of desserts for the "birthday boy" which was very nice. I personally felt somewhat rushed - it took a while for our food to come, which was fine (our reservation was for 8:30PM) but once our food came, it was almost over before it began. The back-up wait staff was excellent and I believe other than taking our initial orders, they did all the work and the server got the kudos (and the gratuity, altho I realize the tips are probably shared at the end of the day). Our dinner came to $425.00 before gratiuity. For that kind of money, and with all the other reviews I've read, I hope they seriously consider adding some kind of sound insulation before I consider going back for seconds.

• Pros: Excellent Back-Up Wait Staff
• Cons: Noise, Noise, Noise & Prices

07/12/09

Simple, superb meal

by FluoroJockey

PLANNING: My girlfriend and I made a spur of the moment decision to go--reservations are easily made online. If your time is not available, you can select another. We were able to get our second or third choice on a table for two on a Friday night less than 2 hours before we ate.

ATTIRE: Any concerns we had about being underdressed were unfounded; designer jeans and a nice shirt were well within the range of dress. Collared shirts were the norm, and dress ranged from polo and button-up short-sleeve to dinner jackets.

APPETIZERS: Carpaccio or seafood dishes; we didn't get an appetizer

SALADS: I had the wedge with ranch substituted and ground pepper which was similar to others I've had, but still very good. I did like the smaller button tomatoes as opposed to large tomatoes on similar salads at other steakhouses. She loved the house salad, particularly the dressing, which she described as "very light."

MAIN COURSE: We both had filets, both cooked perfectly (large filet cooked rare, small filet cooked medium-well). The side of macaroni was recommended by the waiter. Similar to other upscale steakhouse sides, this was large enough to split, and was terrific.

On a side note, I like the larger plates for the steaks. Ruths Chris, which is a fine restaurant in its own right, has much smaller plates which are slightly more cumbersome.

DESSERT: This one was a no-brainer for us. We ordered the molten lava cake (with the order for the main meal as this takes 20-30 minutes to make). The cake and hot melted chocolate were served with what I can best describe as vanilla ice cream on a wafer cookie cannoli, with literally a bowl of whipped cream on the side, and raspberries. Truly, truly terrific.

COMPARISON TO OTHER RESTAURANTS: I've been to more than a few fine steakhouses. I really do love Pappas. Bros, but no matter how nicely dressed I am there is always a lingering sense of being out of place. Fleming's, although nice on the interior, felt much less stuffy. My girlfriend said this was the best meal she's had in 5 years, meals which have included restaurants that are borderline unaffordable. For my part, it's a rarity to not remember the last meal that was as good as the one you just had.

OVERALL: There's no such thing as perfect, but certainly this meal was 9.5/10. We would certainly go broke eating here every night, but it's well worth the price to make a visit once every month or two.

• Pros: Ease, availability of reservations; great for the price
• Cons: None encountered; potentially parking at peak hours

05/12/09

noise issue

by tundermot

My husband & I usually go there for occations . The food and service is great. Nice dining but too lound although the place was not that busy with big party. They got something to do with the noise!!!!!!!

05/07/09

good steak and service

by maovgi

I been going here for the last 6-7 yrs, bout 10 time a yrs. The bone in ribeye is the best, 2 ppl can eat it, all the side order are very good. The staff are the best, very quick and pay alot of attention. I just love this place. If you go , make sure you try the lava cake, with extra ice cream and berries. You have to order this cake in advance, it take 20 to 30 min to bake.

02/15/09

Great Prix Fixe Dinners are a great value on wonderful food

by thebestcritic

We visit Flemings every 5-6 weeks always have wonderful experience. Their entrees are extremely well done and the sides are great, so in general you can't go wrong with any selections (qualifying that, I've never tried their seafood entrees). The relish tray served upon arrival is very nice touch and gives you an opportunity to have a cocktail and munch before you order. The iceberg wedge is my favorite salad, but if you have the opportunity for their Clam Chowder, you should pass it up. Nice broth, not "gravy like", few small pieces of potato, and lots of claims with out overbearing spices. The currently Prix Fixe menu has a roasted Cabernet braised New Zealand Lamb Shank pan jus with cannellini beans on the Winter Prix Fixe menu that is outstanding. The Prix Fixe menus are great value and always some different and delightful. However, I do have a few complaints: 1. PARKING, Flemings is one of those who prefer to reserve the "close to the door" parking spots for their Valet (shared with The Tasting Room). Given the limited number of spaces in the small strip center, those who'd rather park their own car (for many reasons) are forced to park on the street and walk quite a distance. I'm not opposed to walking at the proper time, but that?s not when going to a nice diner at an upscale restaurant. 2. WINE LIST, Their wine list is overpriced not only considering the label, but considering other restaurants. They need to "adjust" their wine prices to meet the times and the competition. 3. NOISE LEVEL, When the restaurant fills up, and it usually does, the noise level is too high for a restaurant of this caliber. Just three flaws that need to be worked out. I hope you can do it Flemings!!!

• Pros: Prix Fixe Dinners, Service, Side Dishes
• Cons: PARKING, Wine Prices, Noise Level

02/13/09

Stay away From the waiter named RIVER And The Operating Manager Named MAEVE

by Tyger007

Best food in Houston their appetizers are to die for the service is way better in the Woodlands than the one downtown on Alabama The Server at the Alabama locations name to stay away from his name is River and he is horrible at best very pushy! and then the operating

partner Maeve at the Alabama location is very unprofessional

Will not go back ever looking forward to the Memorial location opening March 2009

Woodland Location I will rate a 5 and as good as it get's the Alabama location negative 4 so hopefully Memorail will be just like the Woodlands

• Pros: Food Incredible
• Cons: Waiter River And Girlfriend/Operating Manager Need People Skill training in a hurry

12/29/08

Unlike many steakhouses Reviewed on Citysearch, Fleming's deserves the 5 Star Rating.

by DinnerNight08

My wife and I enjoy frequenting steakhouses, and after trying many of the "top" steakhouses in Houston, we believe that Fleming's is the best all-around choice. That keeps us going back time and time again. The decor is modern, and the clientele ranges from big business dinners to romantic nights for two, with everything in between. That being said, there is somewhat of a neighborhood feel to the place, which is strange considering that it is a national chain. The salads are serviceable, and the by-the-glass wine list is extensive relative to other places (it's good for us since I like reds and my wife likes whites). The steaks and sides shine. When we call ahead for reservations, we reserve bone-in fillets for our entrees. Though more expensive ($43), the quality of the bone-in filets is superior to the already excellent standard filet cuts. All steaks are seasoned well and have a flavorful crust. The Fleming's potatoes are outstanding, and the mac and cheese is distinctive. One important note: unlike many of the other steakhouses in Houston (esp those downtown), we have yet to see a Fleming?s patron wearing shorts or baseball hats ? it is quite refreshing to see patrons dressed in a way that is commensurate with the type of restaurant at which they are eating. Though we will try other places for a change of pace or for an adventure, we can always rely on Fleming's for a great experience. We concur with the audience?s vote for best in town.

Prime beef, a comfortable atmosphere and an extensive, user-friendly wine list are the signatures of this upscale steakhouse.

by Contributor

In Short
With a decor of dark wood, leather upholstery and soft lighting, this clubby steakhouse has a warm, upscale feel. The menu's focus is prime beef (aged up to four weeks), from bone-in rib eye and filet mignon to New York strip drizzled with bearnaise sauce. Classic seafood offerings include lobster tails, steamed crab legs and wild Alaskan salmon; sides, served a la carte, include baked potato and chipotle mac and cheese.

07/12/08

Wonderful food and service..., but not worth going because of the noise.

by SAguest

We went there for a dinner on Friday night 7-11-08. Very prompt service, friendly staff.

But the noise factor!! We stayed only because we heard the steaks were perfect...(prime beef). They were the best steaks we'd had in years. Better than Vic & Anthony's, Ruth's Chris, or Smith and Wollensky, but we couldn't get out of there fast enough. There were two of us for dinner, sat next to each other, and had to 'yell' in order to be heard. Inexcuseable.

• Pros: Service and food wonderful. Exceptional!
• Cons: Noise! Noise!! Noise!!!

06/03/08

No Wonder Fleming's Won Best Of Houston Best Steak & Wine List!!

by sscoleman

With all the stuffy, over priced steakhouses in the city no wonder Fleming's won the best of Houston best steak & wine list by citysearch. On last Friday my wife and I ate dinner at Fleming?s, from the moment the valet & the hostess welcomed us; to the friendly bartenders and servers, the service was second to none, we had one of the most wonderful dining experiences that we have had in a long time, and Talk about great food!! My wife had the ahi tuna appetizer which was very good and the chef?s fish special of redfish topped with big lumps of crab meat with an awesome lemon butter sauce, I went for the bone in ribeye, Man was that amazing!! The Mac & cheese was so good I ordered an extra order to take home! I was told by the manager that everything from the bread they bake every morning to the salad dressings and desserts; all made in house, even the chef's cut their steaks on premises, I could tell, my bone in ribeye was thick and juicy. Wine service was great too, with one hundred wines by the glass we had no problems finding some great wine. The wine list was user friendly and the server was very approachable when we had questions about wine and he was not stuck up or rude like we have seen waiters act in other fine restaurants. I needed no tie or jacket, and it was great to leave the office on a casual Friday and not be under dressed when going out to dinner! I had a great port with probably the best dessert my wife and I have ever had THE CHOCOLATE LAVA CAKE!!!! My wife had a glass champagne with her peach cobbler, the place was packed so I?m sure I?m not the only one who loves this place, I stopped in again yesterday and on a Monday night it was just as packed. I had onion rings that were stacked 10 high and lobster tempura that was fantastic. I am sure to return again, not only on special occasions but on a regular basis.

BEST EVER!!

• Pros: great service, food&wine