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Bistro Lancaster - Lancaster Hotel

MY REVIEW: I am at this hotel once a month as a visit a client right across the street. I frequently visit this restaurant. If you have not experienced the "Fried Olives" they offer, then you are missing out. The rest of the menus is ok, but the "Fried Olives" keep me coming back again and a again. I usually order two orders then go back up to my room and order pizza. But get the "Fried Olives". You won't be sorry.

NAME: tony
SUBMITTED: 5/20/2010   LAST VISIT WAS: 05.2010
FREQUENCY: Visited 4-6 times

MY REVIEW: Chose this restaurant because of location and convenience to the theater area. I had read the reviews and i was a little worried, but no need. While the bistro is a little tired looking, its very old world and cosy. The food and service was excellent. We would happily go back again.

NAME: cchouston
SUBMITTED: 10/29/2007   LAST VISIT WAS: Oct 07
FREQUENCY: Visited once

MY REVIEW: Strong Point: convenient to Theatre District. That's about all going for it.

The Experience: the restaurant was crowded, with tables lined up close and side by side with no privacy - too many tables for such a small place. And too many tables for the wait staff also, as the service was very slow and curt. The menu was small, which could be OK depending on the quality of the food. We had appetizers and entrees, and the overall food quality was marginal, except for the steak, which was a rib eye ordered medium rare. When it came, it was bent up in the middle (not flat like a steak) and looked slimy. When I looked at the other side, it was charred - no not blackened. The steak was medium well done. I flagged down a waiter (not ours, who had just dumped off the steak and was gone), sent the steak back, and ordered a filet, again medium rare. It eventually came, and was very very rare. I ate it anyway, paid the bill and got out of there.

Overall, we dine out several times per week, and the Bistro Lancaster was by far the worst restaurant experience in 2007, maybe in all time. Even though you can usually get a reservation there on busy theatre nights (wonder why?) we will not return.

NAME: Robert
SUBMITTED: 10/16/2007   LAST VISIT WAS: 9/2007
FREQUENCY: Visited once

MY REVIEW: It was our annaversary and everything was wonderful from the moment we walked in. We have never had such a great experience. I loved the lamb chops and my wife raved on her Market Catch(halibut). We are looking forward in viseting again.

NAME: Hamilton
SUBMITTED: 6/27/2007   LAST VISIT WAS: May 2007
FREQUENCY: Visited once

MY REVIEW: Strong Points: The food was excellent! The location by the symphony is perfect for pre-theater. We had the Colorado lamb chops with tripple herb pesto and the popular crabcakes. Everything was very nice.

Weak Points: The service could have been faster and the hotel is looking a bit tired and worn. We can wait for the rennovations!!

NAME: D.Harris
SUBMITTED: 6/27/2007   LAST VISIT WAS: June 2007
FREQUENCY: Visited 4-6 times

MY REVIEW: I cannot comment on the food as we left before ordering. We were 'greeted' by the less-than-friendly hostess, who seemed miffed that we did not have reservations (we decided to stop in after the symphony matinee, so it was not a peak time and there were only two tables with patrons as we entered). A few more tables were filled after we got there, and their drink orders were taken and filled before ours, as well as their orders taken while we sat there. We decided to leave and told the hostess we were not staying; she seemed totally unconcerned. When I explained why she said (in a very rude tone) something about a 'system' that they had. Whatever. There was no apology. Customer care is the key to building and maintaining business - obviously this hostess (and management) do not understand this concept.

NAME: DakotaBlue
SUBMITTED: 4/30/2007   LAST VISIT WAS: April 2007
FREQUENCY: Visited 4-6 times

MY REVIEW: Horrible. Started with Caesar salad with greasy flavorless croutons and a dressing so lemony it was like neocitrin on top. Catch of the day (should be fresh? - NOT) was over cooked, the bed of greens needed to be WASHED (gritty), and the side of asparagus was woody. Needless to say I didn't eat my dinner. Did not hear one rave or comment from the other 5 in our party, I think everyone was being polite, and in silent agreement about how TERRIBLE it was.

NAME: MagsMom
SUBMITTED: 9/8/2006   LAST VISIT WAS: Sept 2006
FREQUENCY: Visited once

MY REVIEW: The food was what you should expect from such an establishment- well prepared and savory. The ambience was appropriatly aged in classic 19th century decor. One aspect that is worth mentioning is that the coffee was absolutely the best we have ever experienced in any hotel. The waitor said that they purchase the coffee from several estates in Guatemala owned by a company named "Dalton?". I think that is the owner's name. What ever the case, It was a crisp finish to a full meal and a nice experience.

NAME: H.A. Russell
SUBMITTED: 5/5/2005   LAST VISIT WAS: 05/05
FREQUENCY: Visited once

MY REVIEW: location is its only strong point, although the drinks were acceptable.....the decor is aged...the service almost invisible and the food has gone down hill terribly....I heard that they did not even have a trained chef...and I hope not because if they did he should be fired..everything we had was either over or under cooked...just terrible

NAME: RRM
SUBMITTED: 11/10/2004   LAST VISIT WAS: 11/04
FREQUENCY: Visited 2-3 times

MY REVIEW: Visited for my first (and last )time . Food was poorly prepared. Chicken room temperature. Steak overcooked and still not even warm. Crabcakes good but not exceptional. Service poor (water glasses and bread plates empty) and management insulting in response to my complaints about the food. Would not consider returning.

NAME: John
SUBMITTED: 11/8/2004   LAST VISIT WAS: october 2004
FREQUENCY: Visited once

MY REVIEW: Loved it! Host a door was freindly, server was very knowledgeable of specials, and wine selection/price range was a sight for sore eyes for an upscale downtown eatery. Ambiance was great, with soft candlelight and a soft gitarist in the background. Crawfish appitizer was suculent with a tangy sauce, and the filet waso tender, I didnt really need the steak knife. Crab cakes have to be some of the best in town. Bread pudding always to die for. Back for drinks after show, and got more of the same attentive service, even though it was late.

Bob at the bar was great. Will be returning very soon.

NAME: Mark and Terri
SUBMITTED: 8/2/2004   LAST VISIT WAS: 7/04
FREQUENCY: Visited 2-3 times

MY REVIEW: Arrived at 6:30 pm on a theatre Sat night, had reservations, were seated promptly. Restaurant was crowded and extremely noisy, although the noise level is usually bad anyway, so I wasn't surprised. Service was marginal, bordering on poor. I think there were just too many tables and too few waitstaff. Ordered a $55 bottle of Argentinian Chardonnay which was excellent, only no chiller was provided tableside, so it got to room temp in short order. We were quite disappointed with the inexperience of the wine steward in that regard. We ordered the martini salad (tasteless and a little disappointing) and the lancaster salad with field greens and fried goat cheese (truly excellent). Entrees were pan seared tuna and crab cakes, also both excellent although the sauce for the crab cakes was a little sweet. Portions were large. Creme brulee was tasty, but runny - needed to set up awhile longer. After dinner coffee was excellent, but had to flag down the waitress each time we needed something, including the check. Considering the prices, I felt the service should have been better. I would probably go back, just not when it is so crowded. I have eaten here several times pre-theatre and this is the first time the service was not what it should have been. The food is always good.

NAME: Spike
SUBMITTED: 7/19/2004   LAST VISIT WAS: 07/2004
FREQUENCY: Visited 4-6 times

MY REVIEW: This is a very small place with limited menu...... but that's not a bad thing.

I've tried just about everything on the menu and have not been disappointed. The service is attentive and very good given the hustle at times when packed with theater goers. In fact, this place is my first choice for dining (Sunday brunch or evening dinner) when in the theater district / downtown*.

*The key to a happy pre-theater meal here is..... remember it is a small kitchen, so don't show-up an hour before curtain time and expect to make it..... either get there early or wait and dine after the show.

NAME: McTex
SUBMITTED: 6/17/2004   LAST VISIT WAS: 05/04
FREQUENCY: Everybody here knows my name...

MY REVIEW: Ate there last night, food was pretty good and is definitely an alternative to the high end steak places around town.

NAME: Mr. G.
SUBMITTED: 2/15/2004   LAST VISIT WAS: 02/04
FREQUENCY: Visited once

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