The Palm - Downtown Houston

Let me start by saying I was somewhat of a frequent diner at the old PALM on Westheimer.
At least once a month sometimes more.
This is my first time here at the downtown Palm only because the proximity isn’t as convenient. I so wanted this to be just like the old Palm restaurant, but unfortunately was disappointed. The old PALM was the total experience, which is what made it.
The food was great.
The service is great.
The people from the bus boys to Management were great.
Here, not that they were bad just was just like non-existent. So we were here Easter Sunday, and there were maximum only three tables occupied in the restaurant.
So not very busy. Ordered appetizers, thick, bacon, shrimp Bruno, and lobster ravioli Bacon was great, lobster ravioli my opinion was OK, but overpriced and the shrimp although good just not as good as I remember it.
Not really much any sauce and just a bit bland. Asked for bread and was not brought out until appetizers were fully finished.
Wonder if not asked if it would’ve been brought out at all. For the main dishes, we had a 3 pound lobster and chicken Parmesan. Both were good. Our waiter although nice was absent.
He brought the appetizers then was not around until he brought the main course..
the main course was brought, and again he was nowhere to be found until dessert time. The old Palm, the waitstaff were always around always checking on us.
If there was a crumb on the table they would remove it.
The GM and manager would come around a few times to check on us. Here like I said the waiter was mostly absent and no sign of any manager or management to check on the few patrons in the restaurant.
In fact there was no cleaning of the table except busboy removing dishes at the very end.
.
No waiter with the table scraper like the old palm.
As the table cloth was soiled from our dinner we had to fold it over ourselves so we could have a clean area. Desert, I bragged to my wife how good their carrot cake was.
Well it came out, a huge piece like the old Palm, but that was the only thing that was the same. This was the driest piece of carrot cake I’ve ever had.
My local supermarket has better.
I can’t say if it was old or that’s the way they’re doing it now.
We left most of it on the table. Lastly I don’t.
Understand why they ask if a special occasion on the reservation.
And then again when we sat down.
We told them each time it was my birthday but nothing.
Not even a “happy birthday “ when we paid the bill and we’re leaving. Not what I would expect from this caliber of a restaurant where two people spend $300 + for 2 people. I so wanted to start frequenting the Palm again and wished I could have wrote a glowing review.

Owner response

Came for an anniversary lunch.
Food was amazing! Drinks were awesome.
And the service was spectacular! Kyle our server was awesome and on point with suggestions.
Larkin the manager was a super delightful and couldn’t have been more awesome! Overall a great experience and great way to spend an anniversary lunch!

Owner response

This week we traveled for a convention in Downtown Houston and The Palm was super close to where we were staying so we went to the restaurant several times.
The experience at The Palm was amazing, from the service and attentions.
Thanks to Chef Roberto Garcia and his staff, the waiters Tony, Ramon and Mauricio for their attentions, they made us feel at home.
We recommend you to try the fresh oysters with the special sauce made with Prosecco on another level.

Owner response