Bridget's At 8 West - AMBLER

The atmosphere is quite snobbish, making me feel like I'm being judged. The food is heavily covered with various seasonings or glazes, which can overshadow the natural flavors. It's also very pricey, and the overall vibe feels unfriendly.

I thought it would be simple to send them back to be corrected, as I've had such experiences at places like Outback. To my dismay, the steaks were returned by the manager, informing us that the owner wanted us to know these were their definitions of doneness. This was shocking for several reasons: 1) their definitions were not aligned with standard expectations, 2) if the staff states that they serve red, then they should follow that guideline, 3) I have consistently ordered steaks with no issues on previous visits, and 4) this is a $36 steak at a supposed upscale restaurant. It was outrageous for them to return a rejected dish instead of rectifying the situation. After 10 minutes of frustration with the manager, who seemed to be caught in the middle of it all, I had reached my limit. With our dinner and celebration ruined, we decided to pay for what we had eaten and left.

I ordered the Strip Steak Special, which was cooked perfectly and tasted great, but it was topped with a sauce that resembled garlic and herbs and served on a bed of rice. Unfortunately, while the steak was excellent, the rice was bland and cold, and the minimal side vegetable did not match the description on the menu. Another beef dish was exceptionally tender and well-presented, but both beef entrees were served on cold plates. This restaurant should pay more attention to ensure that the quality and presentation of the entrees align better with the prices they charge! August 2010.