When you only care to send the best
Written: May 22 '01 (Updated May 26 '01)
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Pros: Unbelievable food, excellent view
Cons: a bit pricey for everyday occasions
The Bottom Line: If you love seafood, you have to try it, and the prime rib is something to write home about too.
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| jeffs320's Full Review: Chart House |
If anyone has missed me lately, it is because I changed jobs and am back working in the Restaurant business. I know, it's a big change from working as a computer geek - I had to retire my horn rimmed glasses with the white tape in the middle, the pocket protector, and I never have to say "WOW, you were on hold for 45 minutes? We must be really busy today!" But there are advantages, like I make more money and I don't have to come home and drink a 6-pack of Heineken to keep from climbing a bell tower with a sniper rifle.
But seriously, I went to work for the Chart House about 5 years ago and had such a good time working there that I had to go back when I decided it was time for a change of pace.
When I worked there last time, I wasn't the best friends with the General Manager, so when I had worked my way up to bussing tables (yeah, a real career advancement) he put a freeze on it and pretty much made it clear I would not progress any further. But now he is gone and now I can do pretty much anything I want to within the company.
Not that you care about my history, I just wanted to vent for a second and dispel any rumors that might be floating around about the career change...hehehe
OK, about the company. It was started by two surfers in Aspen Colorado. Basically they wanted to open a restaurant with excellent food and even more excellent customer service. I personally think they accomplished that.
One of the main focuses of the company is to place all of the restaurants in locations that provide a breathtaking view to enhance the dining experience. The first restaurant in Aspen was built into the side of a mountain, and although I have never been to that one in particular, I have seen pictures of it and will definitely make time to dine there if I am ever in Colorado.
There are now just about 50 Chart House restaurants in the country, and they are all strategically placed so that the best view possible is available while you are having dinner. I say dinner only because the whole lunch concept failed with the Chart House. The problem was that most people see it as a relatively fine-dining establishment, and there aren't too many people who want to spend a lot of money for lunch, so there's the rub.
I personally work in the Chart House in Fort Myers, FL, and the entire restaurant is built over the Caloosahatchee river. If you have never been to Ft. Myers, this might sound really cool, but the river itself isn't the Mississippi by any means. However, the view is awe-inspiring - the sunset is breath taking and when it gets dark the lights of the city on the other side of the river provide a romantic enough view to impress that special someone in your life.
As a side note, I have also been to the Chart House in Longboat Key, FL (right around the corner from the Ringling Bros museum), in Melbourne, FL, in Miami, FL, and in Jacksonville, FL, and I can say first hand that the view is equally impressive in each of these restaurants.
OK, about the food. The Chart House used to be a Steak, Seafood, Prime Rib and Pasta restaurant, but when the company purchased the steak house Angelo and Maxie's in June of 2000 (see my review of Angelo and Maxie's here - http://www.epinions.com/content_23744253572), they decided to switch the emphasis to Seafood. All the other types of food are still on the menu, but not in abundance. There are usually 8-10 different types of fresh fish on the menu every night, as well as shrimp and a 12 oz Australian Lobster tail that will make any occasion just that much better.
Personally, my average price per head for dinner is around $50, but as a whole the average is around $35 per head. What is the difference, you might ask? The difference is in the amount of appetizers and side dishes I sell which I honestly feel will impress just about anyone when they are included with the dinner in the right combinations.
OH, yeah, that and alcohol sales. I would definitely not recommend the Chart House as a place to go every night if you like to sit at the bar and drink until you can barely crawl, let alone walk, unless you can afford to spend $9-$15 on a martini and $4 for a bottled beer. It's not too bad when done in moderation and for special occasions, but I know that I can't afford to drink there on a nightly basis.
The Company is changing quite a bit here lately, and if you ever dined at the Chart House more than a year ago I am sure you remember the bright Hawiian shirts that we used to wear. The atmosphere was completely relaxed and it was a really fun place to eat. Well, that has changed a bit as well, and now the employees are wearing black pants and a white oxford shirt, so it is a little more professional than it used to be, but it is still only semi-formal in most places. In Florida (as I know more about the restaurants here than any of the others) you can wear anything from a pair of jeans and a T-Shirt to a suit and tie and you will still not feel out of place.
All in all, the food is outstanding, the service is exceptional (with a few exceptions here and there, but these servers usually do not last very long), and once again I must point out the view that you will find in each restaurant. Definitely a place to take a date if you are trying to impress her....
Recommended:
Yes
Kid Friendliness: Yes
Vegetarian Friendly: Yes
Notes, Tips or Menu Recommendations Definitely try the fish, as it is recieved daily so it is guaranteed to be fresh.
Best Suited For: Romantic Evening
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Epinions.com ID:
jeffs320
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 - Top 500 |
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Member: Jeff
Location: Fayetteville, NC
Reviews written: 266
Trusted by: 38 members
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