Charcoal Steak House

I visit this restaurant on average 10-12 times a year for lunch. Generally I have been pleased with the service and menu. Recently I was very disappointed with an abbreviated lunch menu and that I had to later follow up to get my loyalty card credited with the appropriate points (this has happened before). The general manager was much too casual with the oversight.

Overpriced low quality

Ceasar salad (excellent), the cabbage rolls were anything but... They did not look, smell or taste at all like cabbage rolls. The strawberries seemed fresh, but tasteless, and the pie crust appeared to be store bought. My wife had the trout which she liked. We had the "Two can dine for $60" special. Highly overpriced. My brother-in-law had the curry bowl and was also very disappointed with it. Several better eating venues in K-W Cambridge where then prices are lower and the food quality higher.

A delicious birthday meal.

It was my choice. Anywhere I wanted to go for my birthday dinner was the plan. It had been over 10 years since I last ate at the Charcoal Steak House, so that was it. We made reservations early and were seated at a booth. The restaurant was very dark, which bothered one of my guests, but I loved it. A very warm atmosphere. Private while sitting in a room full of other diners. We chose the Crab Cakes for our appetizer. They were delicious. Perfectly crusted with panko, soft and tender on the inside. A nice tartar sauce served on the side. The dish also came with a side of pickled cucumber, which I was not a fan of, but my guests loved. Looking over the menu, we made the obvious choices being in a steak house. The prime rib special, the Nebraska Rib-Eye and the King City Rib-Eye. The Prime Rib was great. Soft and juicy, but my guest had an issue. She ordered well done, but it was served medium. She still ate it, and loved it, but was not given what she ordered. My other guest loved the King-City Steak. Served with Sweet Potato Fries. I sampled a bite or two of her steak, and it tasted better than my Nebraska cut. The steak I chose, the Nebraska Rib, was wonderful. But again, the kitchen was a little off with the cooking. I ordered medium, and was served well done. Regardless, it still was one of the best steaks I've ever had. The ends of the steak had that perfect crunchy crust that everyone loves on a Rib Steak. We passed on dessert, seeing I had a cake at home waiting. After chatting to our waitress, my guest let it slip that it was my birthday, before the bill came she brought out a peice of Mint Ice Cream Cake free of charge. I appreciated that.

We used to drive out to Kitchener from Toronto a couple of times in the summer but have not been back for years. I was not disappointed at all.

foody42

After a disappointing meal last summer, we were so glad to see that the food and service had improved greatly. Fifty years of dining there has reaffirmed that it is still special. The children's menu is healthy and interesting. One grandchild had grilled salmon with 4 different grilled veggies. They enjoyed the starter of crudities and dip. Altho the prices are high, the facilities and the quality of the food still make it a good choice for special occasions. Grampa enjoyed his birthday dinner!

The Sparkle is Gone

It is a shame this once great establishment is on the decline. The service was gracious and hospitable, but the servers lacked knowledge about the dishes and their ingredients. Having to run back to the kitchen and ask each time made ordering a lengthy ordeal. The atmosphere in the dining room was warm and rich. It is the Charcoal's saving grace. The food arrived after in decent time but looked tired as if had been sitting around for a bit under a heater. The soup was watery and bland. A little table salt helped the flavor but overall lacked the body of a hearty winter soup. The scallops lacked a sear as the menu promised and were flabby and dull looking. Flavor was okay but it seemed like too many garnishes were vying for the palate's attention. The steak was a huge let down, especially at $37. For dry-aged it lacked the depth of flavor and tenderness you would expect from aging. The potatoes seemed to be seasoned with drywall dust and sealed your throat when swallowing. I hope the kitchen is able to get their act in order and start caring a little more about the quality of the product. From talking with friends the consensus offers a grim outlook for the group's flagship spot. It almost seems like the chef is on vacation and things are heading downhill fast. I hope they are able to reignite the passion in their staff and the quality that once made the Charcoal the area's go-to dining destination.

We visited here for a birthday dinner and absolutely loved our meal. Steaks were perfectly done with so much flavour. We had been to Wildcraft and had been dissapointed by the flavourless menu but decided to give the chain another chance. So glad we did, Martini's was also great for a nice Friday late dinner feel.

POTATOES

The service was excellent, the food was excellent except for the MASHED SO CALLED POTATOES. This was a party of 18 people and those who chose mashed potatoes were very disappointed. They tasted awful. No one ate them!!!!

Worst meal ever.

I have been to many restaurants of all classes and this is by-far the worst meal I've ever had. Since I've been to WildCraft (same company) which was really great, I had a very high expectation for this place as well (anyone would for a restaurant of this class). Unfortunately, those expectations were shattered. The receptionist seated us but didn't say ANYTHING and just left; the waitress finally came to introduce herself and give us the menu (her welcome didn't feel very warm); after looking through the menu we waited for a VERY long time before the waitress came back to take our orders (another table came after us and they got to order way before us); LONG wait for the food; appetizers finally came, escargot was okay but the scallops weren't too fresh (definitely not jumbo like the menu claims); entrees finally came after another long wait; shrimp spaghettini isn't something you'd expect from a Western Luxury Restaurant, the name and description makes you expect pasta/spaghetti with shrimp but it's just stir fried vegetables (asian-style) with 5 shrimps on spaghetti noodle which taste the same as the noodle from Teriyaki in the malls; tenderloin fillet, we ordered medium-well, and it was WAY over cooked and also VERY dry with no taste and no syrup/sauce, it was so hard to swallow, only good thing is the sweet potato fries. Overall, $125 and all we had were dried-up beef + fast food-level stir fried noodle.

My husband & I were here Sept. 25 2010. We were celebrating our anniversary. Because we're from out-of-town; we didn't know the restaurant. They reccomended by the hotel staff. Despite being given directions. we got lost!! We had reservations & because we were late ; we were afraid we wouldn't get a table. We were delighted to be warmly welcomed.! Everyone was very helpful & friendly. The food was excellent & the price was reasonable.We were given complimentary dessert to celebrate our anniversary. Even though we're from out-of-town; we would definitely go back.

If the parking could only match the service, the ambience and the food, this place would be PERFECT! Stella was a great server, very attentive. LOVED the martini list..... wish I could get a copy!!! Place was very busy, but food arrived very quickly, only complaint .... my steak was a bit cool, but it was cooked to PERFECTION and I didn't want to risk further cooking to warm it!

Server was excellent. When the steak arrived, she asked us to cut through the centre to make sure it was done to our satisfaction. It was! Food came promptly and was again, excellent. Steak was tender and tasty as were all the accompaniments

Very good service and even better food. Steak was...

Very good service and even better food. Steak was juicy was delicious, napa salad was divine. Loved it! Recommend highly. You can order from the charcoal menu too, although a lot of the selections are the same.

Our favourite restaurant

We come here frequently and have never had a bad experience. Exceptional service and excellent food. All of the staff are always very friendly and helpful, and go out of their way to make each experience pleasurable. Small inconveniences (wait time a little long, food not quite right) are quickly taken care of (often with free drinks/desserts) before we even have a chance to mention them. Fantastic martini list - worth the trip alone! We will continue to dine here for years to come.

I had went with a bachlorette party for dinner...

I had went with a bachlorette party for dinner and drinks. I was excited to go to this restaurant cause Ive heard good reviews. The staff I found was completely snobby towards us and looked down on us. My steak was tiny and it didnt taste like horseradish crust at all , it tasted more like sea salt than anything. Not impressed at all. Service lacked as well as food. Doubt I'll come back , unless its for the martinis

Unique dining Something different Worth...

Unique dining Something different Worth Checking out!

I went for my birthday and all I can say is GREAT...

I went for my birthday and all I can say is GREAT all round. I had never had a Martini and our server suggested a few based on what I liked, loved her choices. Service was very good, food was amazing, especially the creme brule!! Would go back again in a heart beat.

This is the best place we have found for...

This is the best place we have found for celebrating special occasions or just going out for a treat. The food is always amazing, the servers are very accommodating and the atmosphere is beautiful. My husband & I also go in on a Saturday night for a drink and a snack to listen to the great selection of upbeat music they play. By far our favorite place =)

We celebrated my fiance's 30th birthday, and we...

We celebrated my fiance's 30th birthday, and we were a group of 14. The servers were wonderful, the food was delicious, and the prices were very reasonable! Everyone said they had such a wonderful time. The martinis were spectacular! Everyone's food was thoroughly cooked, and the presentation was great. Our server even arranged for a birthday treat to be brought out, with candles and singing! Overall, we had a blast! We will definitely go back there soon!

Enjoyed our meal. Server was a little late...

Enjoyed our meal. Server was a little late getting to the table, but more she was super friendly and made up for it. Food tasted fine. Busy spot.