krothman

It sounds like you are angry enough to take your business elsewhere, which judging by their NY outpost, is probably not a bad idea. I haven't eaten at Craft outposts in Vegas, Foxwoods, Atlanta, Dallas or LA though.

You're spot on. Any (other) steakhouse recommendations at that end of the strip?

The contract is not unusual. There are many places (eg Minibar) where you have to sign a contract for parties of two. I don't know about Vegas but many restaurants will only seat parties that large in a private dining room, which in many cases increases the cost of the meal by at least $50.

Thanks for the response, MtPleasant. We're not being given a private room. We are paying solely for the privilege of sitting together in the main dining room. While I could understand both the fee and the deposit if the room was consistently packed with a wait list, that's not the case and I don't. I've been there early and late, weekday and weekend, and it is never packed. It's never empty, but it's never packed. I just don't get it.

Should I still be pissed? And if so, enough to not eat there this time around?

This is not exactly a "food" post -

Called to make a reservation for 11 people at craftsteak in early October. Was told there'd be a $50 fee (to guarantee we'd all be able to sit together) and a contract with a $500 deposit. I'm pissed at the fee on prinicle, but the deposit? Is this common practice? Do I just not book enough large dinners to be aware of this? I love that restaurant, but I am really angry right now.

1000yregg @ Feb 14 2008, 12:54 AM

One night for dinner, we ate at Italian restaurant, Rao's, inside Caesar's, right next to Payard. It was basically family style Italian food. Not great, but good. I liked the linguini with clams with a spicy tomato and garlic broth. The Veal Parmesan was a massive piece of meat serve with the bone on it, and the salmon on black lentils was nice.

Perhaps your selections played a role in your review. Although I like both dishes, I'm not sure I could get too excited about clam linguini or veal parmesan either. I ate at Rao's in November and thought it much better than good. The Pennette alla Vodka was loaded with diced prosciutto and very tasty, and the Pollo Scarpariello's seasoning was sublime. I will return.

Karl