If you know me, you know that I’m not a big fan of chain restaurants.
But sometimes when you’re dining with a group, a chain restaurant is an option that can please everyone.
My group of four visited the Bâton Rouge Steakhouse & Bar located at 360 Albert St. in Downtown Ottawa.
I do love steak and so does most of my group – luckily there is one on the lunch menu.
Three of us opted for the lunch steak, a 7oz. flat iron with 2 sides and a soup to start.
The other opted for the chicken strips.
The soup, creamy potato… That it was.
It tasted and looked of old mashed potatoes that had been mixed with milk to make it a soup.
Our table was in agreement that the soup was no good.
The meal wasn’t off to a good start!
The chicken strips were good and crispy, but could have definitely used some salt.
All steaks were ordered with fries and their signature cinnamon apples.
Three steaks and three different doneness’.
Rare, Medium Rare and Medium Well.
I ordered mine Rare. To the touch and even visually the steak appeared raw.
There is a difference between Rare and raw – something a steakhouse should know.
The meat also seemed oddly tender. I tried a couple bites on the edges before the waitress came back.
I informed the waitress who smirked and said “I don’t cook the steaks but if you want it cooked more I can get the kitchen to put it back on the grill.”
While my plate was gone, my friends cut into their steaks.
Medium Rare was very close to Blue and Medium Well was definitely Rare.
When my steak came back I mentioned to the waitress that the doneness of the other steaks were off – specifically the Medium Well steak that was Rare.
She snickered and then said “It’s not my fault I don’t work in the kitchen.”
I quickly replied that I understand that, but she should let the kitchen know that steaks are coming out cooked incorrectly.
She said rudely stated “Do you want me to cook those more or what?”.
I was astounded.
We completed our meals and paid our bills.
In summary, the soup wasn’t good at all, the steaks were all cooked incorrectly and our server was inconsiderate and rude.