Food Explorers Club

Yes, I did return to John Cutters Grill

2009-09-13T07:32:00.000-07:00

Club member Pete here to describe my return back to John Cutters. My revisit was two fold. One to investigate how well the customer service would improve with a whole new staff. And second, to answer my belly's call for some yummy steak. Ok, I'll admit, mostly the latter. My visit was kind of serendipity. I spoke to a friend, whom had mentioned that he had managed the pharmacy right across from this great steak spot. With excitement and curiosity I asked which location. As soon as he uttered the words 215... And before he could finish the word Charleston, I began to salivate. John Cutter's yummy steak became easily attainable. Even before he could finish his sentence, I declared the quote: "Let's go."

As soon as we arrived, there were fewer people than I had imagined. Do they market their business much? With creating great steaks, and other yummy foods, you would think most culinary forums out there would be buzzing about this new spot. Unless, however, they mostly rely on word of mouth buzz. So anyway back to the "investigation." So when we got there, service was better than our last FEC visit. The hostess, pleasantly shouted out--as any would in any typical bar like setting-- "Welcome to Cutter's please grab any table you'd like and we will be right with you." So we did, and yes they were right with us. Comparing it to our last visit with our FEC club meeting, our service had improved with a different staff. There was only one waitress this time but with six different tables filled with patrons, she had done a superwoman like great job. At one point the bartender came over to help out the waitress to ensure great service. Not bad for an afternoon lunch. And of course once the food arrived, there was no disappoinment what so ever. My friend had a Mediterranian chicken flatbread; and I had the yummy 16oz New York steak--medium rare. Yummy yummy and yummy is the best way to describe our experience. Of course my friend and myself had great conversation and great laughs, but between you and me, I wanted to keep convo to a minimum so that I could quietly enjoy this swim in a pool of Cutter's yumminess. So to sum it up on my return "investigation," 5 thumbs up.

John Cutter - good local hangout and food

2009-09-07T17:11:00.000-07:00

After more than 6 months of seeing this restaurant, it took a couple of friends to recommend this as a place to check out because they had great steaks.

Cutter doesn't take reservations, but we were told to arrive before 6 pm and we'd have no problems with seating....

Well, if we didn't mind a high-top table next to the door that wobbles, the only table that was available, loud music and loud atmosphere - then we were in luck! We asked for the first booth that would be available, and we moved happily, twenty-five minutes later. The wait staff was cheerful, but clearly not trained well to handle crowds and orderly delivery of food. After my finicky husband asked for one more minute to choose from the eight menu items, we were left for almost twenty minutes.

We waited almost thirty minutes for our order, but it was worth the wait. I ordered the 10 oz. filet, medium-well, and it was perfect. Butter-tender, nicely dressed. The accompanying salad (small John Cutter salad) with feta and toasted pine nuts made it better than ordinary. And I couldn't help but snatch several of my hubby's yummy fries (perfectly seasoned, crispy, hot, and not greasy!).

Another fun get together with our closest friends. I guess we'd make the best of any situation - lots of laughs, stories, and plans for more fun. Next time - their pick. Can't wait!

Gorging at John Cutter Saloon & Grill

2009-09-07T13:52:00.000-07:00

As a proud member of this club, I will be expressing my take on last night's gorging adventure at our first meeting. Let me just begin by expressing what a pleasure it is to spend three hours among terrific company. Now, the first experience is walking into a dim, high energy, and classy ambiance. Secondly, ordering the drinks while experiencing great conversation was very nice. The waitress, or our waitress in particular, was fun and lively. But later in the evening, the service began to decline. Food was top notch, best food among many of the great restaurants. However, as far as service goes, our waitress has the potential to be even better. Our waitress could have checked on us more. Not to mention our good friend David's order was sent back once and even when it came back it was again incorrect. But even after we were done eating, as us four normally do, we stay until they give us the boot. So because we normally stay a few hours after eating our meals, I was expecting our waitress to check on us. But no, nothing, nada. Oh well. And back to the food, the food was so yummy. My favorite part of the food was the presentation of the plate. It is pretty obvious, the chef places his or her energy on it's presence as well as it's ingredients. For example, our friend Shirley had a steak, and after having a bite myself, it had a unique taste. This steak had almost a parmesean taste. Different but yummy. Despite the lame service towards the end, the food will definetly have me coming back for more. Well that and the ambiance.

Rating: out of 5 thumbs, I give it 2.5 thumbs up for me.

John Cutters Restaurant and Grill

2009-09-07T13:24:00.001-07:00

I thought the ambiance was great, filled with a couple of flat screen TV's, lots of good energy from people having fun, great location off Charleston in the Albertson's shopping center located in The Vistas, friendly staff from the get-go. However, I didn't think the menu had a very big selection of items. I do have to say that my food, grilled salmon, was excellent. I tasted Shirley's steak and it was pretty darn tasty as well. So overall food seemed really good. But, the waitress really lacked the customer service to make this a top notch experience. I would go back, but it wouldn't pop in my head as a first choice. Overall, I give it a 2.5 on a scale from 1 to 5. My last comment..."Mr Cutter your restaurant has some potential, but your not quite there yet".

Meeting #1 - John Cutter Saloon & Grill

2009-09-07T04:46:00.000-07:00

Our first night together. We promptly name ourselves the Food Explorers Club, and establish some rules:

1) We meet weekly, on Sunday evenings;

2) We alternate turns on selecting a restaurant;

3) We must have 2-4 possibilities for each week;

4) No fast food restaurants.

And that's it.

Our first outing, John Cutter Saloon & Grill at 11770 Charleston in Summerlin. The restaurant has been open for only several months, but it becomes quickly a favorite destination for locals. The restaurant offers many specials, which could account for some of its popularity. Its Sunday evening special: 50% discount on all their steaks; a 10oz filet, normally $28, is now $14. Who can resist?

Shirley and I arrive at ~545pm, 15 minutes before we are to meet Kathie & Pete. Good thing, too; the restaurant is buzzing, hopping, and there is nary a table to be had. After a few minutes, we snag a high-top for four, but look longingly at the booths. We put in our request. Kathie & Pete arrive, and the good times begin. Only 10 minutes later, we transferred to our booth -- way more comfortable -- and order. Pete and Kathie both order the salmon (copycats!), Shirley the filet, and I order the NY strip.

The food arrives, and Shirley, Kathie, Pete rave about their meals; sadly, my steak is over-cooked. So back to the kitchen it goes. I drool over their food while I wait for mine; meanwhile, I scarf down my side dish of scrumptious fries. My new steak arrives, also overcooked, so I just eat it. Not especially good. What are ya gonna do?

We four sit there gabbing until 915pm, more than 3 hours of yadda yadda yadda, and leave happy. John Cutters? Spotty service (another party's food given to us, our meals interchanged, slow refills of drinks, no mention of dessert, etc), but always eager and smiling, good food (bland and boring salad appetizer, yummy fries, excellent filet but mediocre NY strip), and great ambiance. A fun place, but loud. Get a booth, if you want to hear your dining companions.

Next outing: 18 October. (I will be away.) See you then!

-- David