Rustic Oak Gastro Pub & Wine Bar

Reviews 3

CR

Crystal Perkins

*OWNER OF RESTAURANT DEFRAUDS CUSTOMER* Mr. Wendell Price, the owner was initially considered a personal friend of mine before this most recent incident, which makes this review more disappointing for me. My fiance and I utilized his services previously as private chef at our home, and had a great experience. I wanted to support his new business and recommended Rustic Oak to my friends who were throwing me my Bridal Shower. My friends all live out of state, and I wanted to make the process as easy as possible for them, as they were not familiar with venues here in Houston. I contacted Mr. Price and informed him that theyd be calling him to reserve a date. Initial communication began in March, 2016, and we were very flexible with a date for the shower. The communication process was horrible, as he rarely returned emails or phone calls, and when he finally did, hed apologize profusely and blamed his slow communication on the fact that he didnt have an assistant, and was taking care of everything himself. Everyone in the bridal party was initially very understanding and patient. When a date was finalized, the budget was discussed, agreed upon, and a contract was requested based on the budget given. When the initial contract arrived, it was incorrect (incorrect menu items, and rates) and was never signed by any of us. A new contract was immediately requested. Mr. Price asked for a deposit to hold the date, and again a new contract was requested via email, text messages and phone calls (all on file), and he responded each time by agreeing to send over a revised contract with new details (all communication on file). He again blamed his delay on him not having an assistant and was having to type up everything and email/fax everything himself. A deposit was sent via PayPal. The date of confirmation was set for Saturday, June 11, 2016, and a menu was confirmed as well. In between March and June, I also spoke with Mr. Price personally over the phone and he assured me everything was going great, and my bridal party would be taken care of! I also personally mentioned to him that the ladies were awaiting the contract, and that it was requested at least 10 times. He apologized and promised he would send it over to the Matron and Maid of Honor. Fast forward to TWO WEEKS BEFORE THE BRIDAL SHOWER, and everyone is contacting him for final details, and Mr. Price goes completely non-responsive. He did not respond until WEDNESDAY, JUNE 8th, THREE DAYS BEFORE THE BRIDAL SHOWER, and it was not until then did he send a contract that was DOUBLED the price that was initially discussed. When the coordinators of the shower expressed their concerns about the rate change, Mr. Prices explanation was that he "changed the menu" because he "knows what the bride likes" (At no time did he and I speak about changing a menu). The coordinators asked Mr. Price to amend the contract to what was originally discussed or they would take their business elsewhere, and he seemed upset saying "thats not how business is done". At one point during this time, he even told us that he was "in the mall, and cant talk right now". In conclusion, the bridal party had to totally switch venues two days before the event and Mr. Price also refused to return the funds given to him. Unfortunately, funds were lost and more funds had to be used in an effort to confirm a new venue with such short notice. Ive waited some time before writing this review, as Id hoped Mr. Price would return my phone calls or email/text messages, but he has chosen not to. As a consumer, he has left me with no choice but to expose his lies, customer deceit, and unwillingness to cooperate as a business owner.

AL

Alain Harvey

Something is seriously amiss with this establishment. I purchased a Groupon for the Rustic Oak and was looking forward to dining at Chef/Owner Wendell Prices establishment. Mr. Price bills himself as the "Chef to the Stars" but it appears hes living in the past. One has to wonder why the transition from Hollywood to his current much less stellar digs in Houston Texas. Reading the Rustic Oaks ever accumulating negative reviews provides a good indication. Over a period of six months I attempted to make a reservation. The majority of my calls to the restaurants number made on a variety of days and times concluded with an automated message stating that the users mailbox was full and no message could be left. It turns out that the number provided for the restaurant is actually Mr. Prices personal cellular telephone. On a few occasions Mr. Price answered his phone. Our conversations during those rare moments revolved around me attempting to yet again make a reservation and Mr. Price invariably expressing that the restaurant was booked for whatever date(s)/time(s) I requested and to call again the following week. Of course, the following week the cycle would repeat itself. Mr. Price never has a pen or paper to take down information and apparently cannot (will not be bothered...) make reservations for more than a few days out. Fast forward to sIx months latter. After being put off by Mr. Price once again and with the paid Groupon expiring within a few days I had no choice but to seek a refund from Groupon. This establishment appears to be completely disorganized with no apparent effort to build a loyal customer base. Rather, it seems Mr. Price is content to accept some of the business generated by the restaurants Groupon offering coupled with, from reading the ample number of less than stellar experiences here, accepting deposits for events for which he is unable/or not intending to deliver the agreed upon service while pocketing the deposits, a menu that does not match that which is posted online, and plenty of excuses but no change in his fly-by-the seat-of-my-pants approach to business and customer relations. I cannot recommend this business and I strongly urge those considering dining at the Rustic Oak or purchasing a Groupon to reconsider and choose another dining option. I predict the Rustic Oak will no longer be in business a year from now if its current business model does not drastically change -- and in the establishments current incarnation that would not be a bad thing.

SE

Sean Dial

My girlfriend and I attended the Couples Cooking Class (on Tuesdays). We had always wanted to go to a cooking class. We did a lot of research and the reviews of the classes at other restaraunts were so so. The menus at the other restaraunts were smaller, the classes were crowded and the cooking classes ran about 1 1/2 hours long, The Rustic Oak Gastro Pub & Wine Bar was very easy to find. When we walked into the Rustic Oak Gastro Pub & Wine Bar, it was dimly lit and had a nice country feel to it, very welcomey! The Chef met us with a big smile and showed us around and seated us at the bar overlooking the kitchen. Another couple joined us. We had never been to a cooking class and were not sure of the format or if wine was included. We quickly got our answer. :) The Chef introduced himself to us all and we were served wine....and the fun started. The wine was good, the menu was incredible! Steak, Chilean Sea Bass, vegitables, Creme Brule flavord Bread Pudding to name a few! The Chef got us all involved and showed us his magic! He showed us how to do everything, from preping everything, cutting up the steaks and fish, making the sauces and showed us how to get everything done at the appropriate time. Most of the other cooking classes at the other restaurants only lasted 1 1/2 hours. Our class at the Rustic Oak was scheduled from 7 - 10pm. The meal came out perfect and tasted incredible! The entire experience, from start to finish, was amazing!! The Chef was awesome! We all learned alot and had a great time! The Food was incredible 5/5 stars. The Chef was very personable..... I give the Chef and the over all experience 6/5 stars! We are looking forward to eating and taking more cooking classes in the near future. :)