Chez Roux Restaurant at La Torretta Del Lago Resort is perfect for fine food, if you don't mind spending a lot of coin while you're there. For my money, I would prefer Mark's, Da Marco, Mockingbird Bistro, or a fine Houston steakhouse instead. \r
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Chez Roux serves top-quality food in a neat lakeside setting, and the chef does a great job of mixing various flavors and paring foods; however, the price of a meal there is hard to justify. For appetizers, I had a crab and lobster dish, which was priced about $24. While it was delicious, the portion size of the appetizer warranted a price more along the lines of $12-15, given that it hardly served as an appetizer for one person, much less two. The entree selections are few, and most run from $35 and up, again with portions more along the lines of $20-35 entrees. The wine list is extensive, with lots of older vintages from top-notch vineyards, but the selections of red wine under $100 are few and far between, and the markup in some instances is outrageous. The most notable ""values"" were the 1997 and 1999 Mondavi Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon (around $140-170). On top of the already astronomical prices, note that there is a forced 18% gratuity included, NO MATTER THE SIZE OF YOUR PARTY. As a custom, I usually tip around 10% for wine, and 20% for food service (and I know that everyone has their quirks in this realm of tipping on wine). I was quite astonished that they would force-tip a party of two, including the marked-up wine that we had, but I'm not sure on whom the blame rests for that. As for the service, I expected a bit more knowledgeable staff. While the waitstaff was friendly and attentive, they seemed inexperienced and timid.\r
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In sum, when I decide to have another $100-125/plate dinner, I would rather go to a steakhouse like Pappas Bros., or go to one of the above 3 restaurants instead, so that the hole in my wallet is at least somewhat alleviated by a full stomach.
Pros: Food; extensive wine list
Cons: Price for food and wine; young waitstaff; forced gratuity
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