I had high hopes for my early dinner at Banks Seafood & Steak, but unfortunately, the experience was disappointing.
The best part of the meal was the warm, fresh bread. It was delicious and set a great first impression.
The clam chowder was just okay. I've had much better, even from Whole Foods. What surprised me was that the oyster crackers were served in a small cup, and they were stale. Most restaurants provide a fresh, sealed packet, but these tasted old and took away from the soup.
I also ordered the beef tartare. The bread underneath the meat was so hard it was difficult to eat. All I could really taste was cold, raw meat. I understand tartare is served raw, but this preparation simply wasn't enjoyable and wasn't to my liking.
For my main course, the steak had good flavor, but it was very chewy. While it was tasty, the texture was disappointing.
The biggest issue was the service. My early dinner lasted over two hours, and I often felt as though my waiter had forgotten about me. There were extremely long waits between courses, and it took about 45 minutes just to receive a frozen yogurt dessert. The slow service turned what should have been a relaxing dinner into a frustrating experience.
Overall, while the bread was excellent, the food and especially the service did not meet my expectations. Sadly, I would not return or recommend this restaurant based on my experience
