Tulip Bistro & Bar

The service was incredibly slow, the noise level is so loud that you cannot even hear the people sitting across the table from you without yelling. The noise level is so loud it made the entire evening unpleasant. I ordered the grilled wedge salad which was very good and a chicken and brie sandwich - the sandwich was just OK it would have been better if the cheese was melted. With the slow service and the noise level it was all I could do to get out of there as fast as I could. Unfortunately, due to the slow service, noise level and higher priced food, it was not worth the money - I would not go back.

The good: the cajun baked oysters are TO DIE FOR. And I don't even like oysters. nuff said. Also, the brussel sprouts, short ribs, baked penne, and the nutella cookies with ice cream and raspberries.

The bad: Our waitress was very sweet, but the service was slow. It seemed like she was responsible for all the tables on our half of the room, however, so I don't think it was her fault. The maître d came around several times to check on us, which was nice. Food wise, the chicken "wonton" appetizers are NOT wontons. I guess it's always a mistake to order chinese food at a french restaurant, but I'd read good things about the chicken wontons from some reviews on urbanspoon so we decided to give them a try. They basically taste exactly like the egg rolls that you get with your #9 general tsao's chicken combination dinner from your local chinese takeout joint. They were cut up and presented all fancy-like, but that doesn't change the fact that they were very average tasting spring rolls. Also, I reiterate, egg rolls =/ wontons. Restaurant owners/chefs - do your homework!

The ugly: my $30 filet mignon, which also happens to be the most expensive thing on the menu. I have never had a filet mignon as dry as this one. I asked for it cooked medium, but it was definitely well done. It was not even a little bit pink on the inside and it was very, very tough. Every bite took an excruciating amount of effort to chew and swallow. I was experiencing major jaw claudication after that and I definitely don't have temporal arteritis (med school joke). In any case, it was definitely not worth the money, and from a place this fancy, I expect a medium filet to be cooked medium and just that. Very disappointing.

I will throw in an honorary mention for the crème brûlée duo. It was cold and obviously not made fresh (probably at the beginning of the day and kept in a cooler), so it wasn't the best crème brûlée I'd ever had, but I was happy to have it all the same.  

Bottom line: Not the best upscale restaurant in town, but decent. Obviously expensive but they do have more affordable menu options. I will probably go back on an occasion to try some of the more french items on the menu, and of course to have more oysters!

Owners are great people. Dinner was on point. It was one of my late night Wed dinner with work boys. I had cup of Crab Soup with caviar on the side! ( fun) and then for my meal I had couple fish taco that I will for sure be back for another time.