Dakota at the Roosevelt Hotel

03/29/09

A Mixed Bag - I doubt I will return

by RestaurantAficionado at Citysearch

Restaurant has great atmosphere and excellent food. It was also very accessible for a Saturday night. We had no problem getting a reservation. Our food server Suzanne was very attentive.

All in all it was a mixed bag though. It seemed that they were out of several items on the menu. I have no proof, but it tasted like the bar used plastic bottle vodka under the guise of serving Ketttle One. The bar cocktail waitress had the temperment of a mannequinn in a bad mood and moved about as fast.

And the worst part was that someone on the staff obviously wanted to keep my leftover NY Strip and two side orders, of which I only ate half. After spending $400 for a dinner for two I would expect to able to bring my food home when I request it.

I doubt I will be going back. Mastros or the Madison seem to be better alternatives.

• Pros: Excellent Food
• Cons: Lackluster Bar & Staff kept leftovers

02/15/09

Perfect Atmosphere & Service...All Negated By Pretty, But Terrible Food!

by NoelleF at Citysearch

My husband and I went last night for the Valentine's Day tasting menu. We were very much looking forward to a great steak and a great meal--as this is supposed to be what Dakota is known for. The food and the $300+ it cost to eat there completely ruined our evening.

The Roosevelt itself is gorgeous, the restaurant's atmosphere is perfect. Low lighting, sophisticated, warm, comfortable hip. The servers and bus staff were excellent and professional. The staff even at the front door of the hotel was awesome! I asked if there was a store within the hotel so I could grab some lip gloss and because it was closed, he offered to run across the street to a pharmacy and would bring it up to me at our table! I felt so spoiled!

The good times ended there. Although every course we had looked beautiful, it was fatty and waaaaay too salty! I just couldn't believe this supposedly amazing restaurant could put out food like this! I'm a big tuna lover and was anticipating the 1st course of tuna tataki. I couldn't finish it because it was drowned in a super fatty avocado creamy thing. The tuna was also not cut small enough. The 2nd course was pork and my husband ordered the scallops. The pork was flavored well, but again, very fatty. I took one bite of the scallop and although it was nicely cooked, it was so salty I didn't take another bite!

I could excuse the 1st and 2nd courses if the main dish was excellent, particularly because I had been salivating over having a great steak all week. To my dismay, the medium rare petite felit wasn't bloody at all. I had to touch it to check if it was warm! What completely confirmed by negative opinion of this restaurant was this steak. I couldn't even finish it because it was SOO salty!

To put this evening over the top was the "dessert extravaganza" buffet in the next room. The band was so loud we couldn't speak to each other (on Valentine's Day!), I didn't even try any of the gelatin-looking desserts, and we left.

• Pros: atmosphere, service
• Cons: food

01/10/09

so very hollywood

by randi333 at Citysearch

we went here on a friday. it was four girls and one guy. the hostess, at first, did not want to let us in. she asked us wat guest list we were on. my friend, who is a frequent to this place expressed that she never had this problem of getting in and needing a guest list especially on a friday. another group had been waiting outside when we walked up and was having the same problem. one thing both of us had in common was each of us had a black girl in our group. now i am not implying that this place might discriminate, but im merely making an observation. meanwhile 4 guys were let in ahead of us with no problem. after ten min of making us wait, she said it was ok to go in and let the other group in as well.

inside, the place was pretty empty, mainly pple were dressed to the tens sitting down tlking. we got our drinks, which were pretty expensive, so not a place to consider having several drinks at unless u dont mind mind the spending. the place was pretty monotonous as far as diversity, mainly white pple. i prefer a diverse crowd, you kno asians whites blacks hispanics, something different, but not gonna get that here. and the crowd is pretty pompous, sedity in a sense, very hollywood. i expected it to be different given its location. the decor is beautifulllllll!!! and the music is great!!!! lotta 80s early 90s rock. we danced all night considerin most pple sat down. it doesnt seem like a big social function unless ur a regular and know pple that always go there...

i dont kno, i really enjoyed myself overall, but its not the friendliest atmosphere. it didnt keep me from having a good time tho :) i like this place it has good music and i enjoyed dancing all night with my friends. it has its drawbacks, but dont let that keep you from having a good time!

• Pros: GREAT MUSIC, Beautiful decor
• Cons: Atmosphere, crowd, drink prices, doormen