Abacus

01/17/08

Disappointed........

by dobie88 at Citysearch

I thought about it for a week, but after a second try at Abacus, I have to share my disappointing experience. Scenario: party of 8, friendly greeting by manager to birthday girl, great wine service by our waiter. Then the 30 minute wait till our orders were taken. The 40 minutes till our "small plates" came out. And they were small. How about 1 ravioli and 1 small link of meat for $16-18? Then the 50 minute wait till our "big plate". Overcooked, small portion, and salty sauce masked the natural flavor of the sea bass. I've never had sea bass so well done.

I guess being a foodie, I expected a returned trip to Abacus to be memorable and food worthy of a 5 start title. I think management should focus on the timing and quality of their dishes more.

• Pros: Nice ambience, valet only
• Cons: Long wait for meal, salty dishes

01/12/08

Old Standby

by wjbii at Citysearch

My wife and I have been going for many years and it is always good. We have never been disappointed here. Of course you have to get the Lobster shooters.

• Pros: Consistantly great
• Cons: far from home

11/03/07

Wonderful evening!

by lexxi71 at Citysearch

We're new to the area and our favorite thing to do is to go out to eat. This restaurant was recommended from our waiter at Truluck's (which I don't recommend) who used to be a concierge. I always look up a restaurant before I go and read the reviews. I have to confirm that it was sensational! We usually go to five star rated restaurants as well as the other reviewer and I don't know what she's talking about when she says, in so many words, that it doesn't live up to it's reputation. The ambience was elegant, the server was knowledgeable and very discreet, and the food was delicious. We had the Sunday roll for appetizer. As a lady, one of the things I hate about sushi is that the pieces are too big for my mouth and it's usually hard to cut the pieces. I could cut these pieces in half with a fork with ease and put it in my mouth and actually enjoy it and feel like the lady that I am instead of looking like I'm eating a golf ball. My husband ordered the recommended ribeye with blue cheese, and since I believe you should always order something different so you can try more of the menu, I ordered the seabass. Both were presented well and very, very good. The meat was tender and juicy and the seabass was light and filling. Neither needed more seasoning which is always a sign of a good cook. The atmosphere was not too loud and it felt like we could talk without the table next to us hearing our conversation. Even though we were sat in the corner, we didn't feel like we were apart from the restaurant and forgotten about. I definitely recommend Abacus for an elegant evening knowing that you're going to get what you pay for.

• Pros: The ambience and the food
• Cons: Had to rely on server for descriptions of Sushi rolls so you couldn't read, visualize, and ponder

09/22/07

Overpriced, too salty, better service at McDonalds

by 91sp at Citysearch

I had such high hopes for Abacus. I haven't talked to anyone who'd been, but I love Top Chef and wanted to check out Tre's restaurant. So, last night, my girlfriends and I decided it would be a great place to start ladies' night. We were wrong. I called ahead to see if Chef Wilcox would be working and was told he was. But we would later learn that he left before we arrived--which may explain the horrible-tasting food. When we arrived, were seated, and the waiter--an awkward, unsociable fellow--came over and offered us Lobster shots. Two of us agreed to try them. They never arrived. The waiter asked about water, and I asked for lemons. They never arrived. I settled on the salmon, and another pal chose pork. When they arrived (finally), we agreed--way too salty. I had to ask for a new fork because mine was bent out of shape. The wine was the best thing we had (but my wine glass was chipped). When another party was seated next to us, we had to wait a very long time before the waiter came over to check on us--from the time that party arrived to the time he took their order, he never so much as glanced our way. The non-English-speaking busboys were the friendliest people working there. The crowd was not exactly my cup of tea, either. Mostly blonde SMU undergraduates baring too much skin (not on the top) and men with thick necks and tight suits. I would be happy to never return there--even if Tre was my favorite this year. I hope Casey's restaurant won't be this big of a disappointment.

• Pros: Truffles
• Cons: Poor service

08/29/07

Great food

by fireman77 at Citysearch

So my future wife and I venture out to this restaurant. I'm thinking this is a bit of a pretentious place, and as we enter the restaurant a whole sleu of people walk out so I guess I"m designated the door man for the time being. We arrive about 30 minuts earlier than our reservation, and we are PROMPTLY seated. Kudos for that. I end up ordering the crab cakes, which are to die for. Not overly dry and REAL crab meat. I have the filet medium rare, and I gotta say, it's one of the better filets I've had in the DFW area. Dessert I had the banana bread pudding. Was not too sweet just right. I would venture out there again.

• Pros: Excellent food, host staff
• Cons: Getting into trouble with the Mrs., Then the waiter giving me cain for getting into it with the Mrs, Not his business

07/28/07

WOW

by laury4201 at Citysearch

My hunnie took me to Abacus for my birthday this week, and I have to admit I was skeptical of the place. I personally avoid restaurants like Abacus simply because they tend to be pretentious and the staff is usually snobby.

When we got there, our table was not ready despite having made reservations. However, they were extremely busy, so we had a drink at the bar and let it slide.

We were seated and our waiter was promptly at our table, politely and professionally offering us drinks, menus, and suggestions. We took his suggestions and ordered all of our food then and there.

My first course was the Asian spring salad with crab meat. Words cannot describe the flavors in this dish, but let me just tell you I don't even eat shellfish. I loved this dish so much I ended up getting TWO of these salads (long story, you will see).

My boyfriend ordered the lobster shooters and they were good, but in comparison to my salad, they couldn't hold a candle.

My entree was the halibut special of the evening. When the waiter came by to check on our food, I had to tell him that I was not terribly impressed by it. He immediately offered to replace the dish and was practically begging me to choose something else off the menu. He promised it would be at my table in 3 minutes. I laughed and told him that it was really fine, that I would eat it, but it didn't tickle my tastebuds as the salad had. As he walked away, he was obviously distraught by the fact that I wasn't crazy about my dish.

In 5 minutes, the manager was at our table, removing my halibut and asking what they could replace it with. I had loved the salad so much that I asked for another, and in 30 seconds there was another one on my plate.

Bottom line is, if you don't like your food at Abacus and you don't tell them, then you deserve to be disappointed because you didn't give them a chance to fix it. This was the single best dining experience we've ever had, and we will definitely be back.

• Pros: Amazing staff and service, food equally as good
• Cons: *Extremely* loud if they are busy, which is probably all the time

03/23/07

Kind of Overrated. Service NOT the Best. Poor Management.

by nonamedamnit at Citysearch

Their food is good! But, it's not all that good! It's just good. I think this restaurant is highly overrated. But, try it. I don't think that people will be disappointed. I just don't agree with all the hype out there about this restaurant. The restaurant interior is somewhat tacky.

• Pros: Valet Parking. Creative Menu.
• Cons: Food is NOT all that great! Poor Management.

08/17/06

Good, but Highly Overrated.

by louisegrey at Citysearch

I grew up in Dallas and was lucky enough to be spoiled when it comes to fine dining. I grew up going to the Chappareal Club on weekends with my parents...to Laurels, the Pyramid Room, the French Room- the Mansion. I developed a palette at an early age and as an adult (with a far smaller pocketbook of course!!!) I tell you this as a preface to my review- because perhaps I have been spoiled with fantastic food. Perhaps Abacus is a fantastic restaurant, but there are certain things I believe you should and CAN expect from one of only 5, 5-star restaurants in Dallas. And Abacus did not deliver.

The lobster shooters, while flavorful and excellent, contained no hint of lobster and I was surprised they could even use it in the title. But I did enjoy them very much. Their peking duck spring rolls were good...(I still think my favorite Thai place could have made them even better.) My husband's soft shell crab was excellent, and cooked to perfection. Truly the highlight of the evening. I DID NOT LIKE MY ENTREE AT ALL. When you spend money and go to a restaurant like Abacus, your dish at the very least should be good. Maybe not EXCELLENT, but good enough to where you would enjoy it, and maybe just not order it again. I did not even eat it. I am not the type of person to send food back, so I pushed it around and smiled. But what a dissapointment! They nailed everything else almost, and crashed and burned on the entree. My husband's flat iron steak was good.

Overall:

Lobster Shooters - B+

Peking Duck Spring Rolls - B

Soft Shell Crab - A+

Flat Iron Steak - B

Soy seared beef with Chili Prawns - D+

Dessert- B+

Overall - B-

I had a good time. The ambiance is fantastic. The appetizers were good. Not fantastic but good. And the entrees were a dissapointing C-. Save some money, and get a few small plates which are more interesting anyways, and a drink at the bar.

• Pros: Beautiful, Creative dishes, Ambiance
• Cons: Overpriced, overrated

08/09/06

Refined dining in a comfortable setting

by dubyavee at Citysearch

I've been to Abacus several times over the last few years and every time we've been very impressed with the outstanding food and service. The really incredible thing about dining at Abacus is that the standards are so high for the most important aspects of any dining experience, yet the atmosphere can be almost casual. The restaurant is appropriate for anyone seeking either a formal dining experience or for someone just wanting a nice dinner without having to get "dressed up". Either way fits into the relaxed yet reserved style of Abacus easily.

The Lobster shooters are obviously a signature but a new dish the last time there really blew me away, Duck Three Ways is quite simply one of the best meals I've ever had anywhere. If you like Sushi the Tuna Tartar with jalapenos is wonderful. Personal favorite is the Blue Cheese crusted Ribeye, but the Venison is also outstanding.

As for the service, I am consistently greeted cheerfully and made to feel very welcome even on exceptionally busy evenings. The wait staff is very attentive without being obtrusive. I've also noticed that very seldom is there any turnover in the waitstaff, these people are intimate with the details of providing excellent service and helping the guest to order the best possible meal. The restaurant is attractive and modern in its design and the atmosphere makes it easy to relax.

Overall, Abacus is the best restaurant in Dallas if you like great food and excellent service. I would highly recommend Abacus to anyone and have done so on several occasions. I do recommend going when it is not Restaurant Week though. The crowds can be overwhelming and can even cause some understandable delay in getting seated, and the atmosphere is diminished somewhat by the noise of so many people enjoying themselves.

08/01/06

I Can't Wait to Go Again!

by margiehubbard at Citysearch

I went to Abacus for the first time during Restaurant Week last year. When I left, I was practically in tears. There is nothing that isn't perfect about this restaurant. The eclectic offering of whatever is new and happening is perfectly executed. The Lobster Shooters were little lumps of heaven!

I originally was exposed to Chef Rathbun at a cooking class I attended. Chef was a terrific instructor and a delight to converse with over dinner. I was impressed with his efforts during the class. But, it hardly prepared me for what an experience Abacus would be. The decor is lovely. It is a nice restaurant without seeming pretentious. I felt comfortable there in the clothes I wore to work. The wait staff was wonderful, informative and attentive without being overbearing.

This year we're going back for the Restaurant Week offering with four of our friends. I'm more excited about this upcoming dinner than I am Christmas! I'll take Rathbun over Santa any day!

• Pros: I can't say enough, it's all a "Pro"!
• Cons: My husband hates to valet. It's fine with me, though!