I really wanted this place to be the hidden gem I thought it was. So desperately, I tried to maintain a positive outlook far beyond anyone else at our table of six. By the time I bowed my head and mumbled, "you're right, it's terrible", we all felt like hostages caught in a live page of a Where's Waldo book. Waldo being our server, of course.
Husband and I arrived early, my family was running late. It was my mother's 60th birthday. We needed a location for a celebratory meal around the halfway point between Carmel and Bloomington. We tossed a few possibilities around and mom decided on Bynum's - she was looking for a really good steak. Let's just say I still owe Mom a really good steak.
While we were waiting, Husband ordered a glass of pinot noir and water, as driver I requested a soda and water. Our meal extended to a just over three hour event and, even with multiple requests, I never received my water. Seriously. I had to share with Husband. Looking back now, I should have just gone to the bar to get my own water. Didn't dawn on me at the time - I was enjoying one of the rare occasions I get to see most of my family!
We also ordered potato skins for the table. These were immediately devoured upon arrival and probably the best thing we ate all night, hence the Last Bite photo provided. The onion soup was good, salad decent. I'm not going to walk you through the agony of waiting to order, Husband's 45 minute wait for his Knob Creek and coke, the disaster that was trying to get our correct salads and entrees, or the million other little things that would have made this such a miserable evening if my family were not champs of overcoming adversity and enjoying our rare moments of time together.
My NY Strip was terrible. Probably good to note that these are wet aged, not dry aged as I had assumed. On a positive note, Husband really enjoyed his Bone-in Ribeye despite being over temped. Actually, it wasn't over temped - it was actually Sister's Not-Husband's order. Not-Husband ate, but did not quite as much enjoy, Husband's mid rare order. Too bad we discovered this error late. Nephew never got his fries and Mom was pretty much done eating when the horseradish for her prime rib showed up. My steak was chewy with un-rendered fat. Then the hostage crisis began.
It took us 27 minutes to locate our server to ask for boxes and checks. Another 18 passed before the hostess showed up with the styrofoam containers. Logged another 14 waiting to just ask him for the check AGAIN. Another 12 before they showed up. I don't remember the count on how long it took for him to return with our card and set us free. That's right, folks. We spent half our dining experience desperately trying to leave and staring at the time as it slowly. ticked. by.
While the food ran from decent to awful, the service was what killed the hidden gem possibility here for us. It may have been an A-List finalist for several years, but the only thing in common with Ruth's Chris, St. Elmo's, Eddie Merlot's, and the others on that list is price. For Husband and I, plus mom, dinner and a few drinks came to around $200. For that kind of money I'd at least expect an edible entree and decent service. Instead, I'll be taking Mom out again to get her that really good steak she's still craving. read more