Vernon’s Speakeasy

Great setting and experience, but the steak, drinks, and professionalism were lacking, which was very surprising considering the price of this place.
FYI, my girlfriend and I don’t go out to dinner often and have never been anywhere this fancy, so I figured it’d blow us away, but it honestly didn’t. Right off the bat, the setting was really cool and our dining area was very neat; it was pretty romantic with the dimmed lights and live piano player. Even that was kind of messed up, though, because the only light on our table was constantly flashing because a spinning ceiling fan was in the way.
I read a previous review commending the professionalism of the waiting, and while our waiter was very nice, talkative, and accommodating, I’d say he wasn’t professional because he kept touching my girlfriend’s shoulder! I didn’t say anything at first because I didn’t want to seem weird and overbearing, but she actually said something about it, so it wasn’t just me that noticed. She had to noticeably pull away for him to stop touching her. This isn’t some classless breakfast place or sports bar, I don’t expect the waiter to be touching guests.
Both of our drinks were rather disappointing. Granted, I’m not a cocktail connoisseur, but even my limited palette couldn’t hardly taste our drinks. I got the grand basil sour, which had a hint of bourbon flavor to it, but mainly tasted like watered down whiskey on rocks. My girlfriend’s mango mojito didn’t hardly have a taste, either, it was more like cucumber water. I’m not trying to be snarky, simply emphasize that the drinks didn’t have flavor! She asked for more sour mix or something and the waiter was kind enough to take the drink and bring it back with something added, probably just some sour mix like she requested.
While their choice cuts seemed tempting, the boneless rib eye sounded best to me for whatever reason and I figured a reputable steak house would be able to knock my socks off even with a simple rib eye cut. Again, I was disappointed. Their version of medium-​rare is what I consider to be pretty dang rare, but you won’t hear me complain that a steak is too rare. That wasn’t an issue as much as it was something else that was rather flavorless. I also can grill a pretty good steak with only salt, pepper, and butter, and I’ll bet it would be better than what they served for ten times the price. Again, even if it’s rib eye, a steak place ought to make it awesome!
The overall experience was fun, but it was extremely overpriced for the quality of drinks and food. If you don’t mind throwing some money around I’d recommend this for a special occasion, but if you want an experience with better food then I’d tell you to try somewhere else (and it’ll be cheaper, too).

We arrived early for our 7 pm reservation and after dealing with the «muscle» (nice touch!) waited at the bar while our table was getting setup.
The atmosphere is dark and romantic, with nice period jazz music playing. And then the piano player started, and wow, was that nice.
There was a decent whiskey selection although I’d like to have seen more variety, and my wife had no problem finding beer she liked. Good to see some local beer and spirits available.
It didn’t take long to get our table. The staff is damn good and very attentive and knowledgable. What a difference that makes! We split a wedge salad, and ordered prime rib and strip. By far some of the best steak in town, and cooked perfectly. I added the steak smother and truly made a difference, glad I chose that. We also split the adult Mac and cheese (ask for bacon instead of ham!) and wow was that absolutely amazing. In all honestly, we could’ve ordered a single entrée to split, the portions are quite large, as we needed bring half our meal back home. To finish things off, we had the crème brule and that did not disappoint.
When all was said and done, this was a great evening and would certainly go back. Yes, it’s pricey, but well worth it.

The speakeasy experience matches the atmosphere. The service was amazing and music was perfect. The food was yummy! We Had the Tomato Bruschetta, Vernon’s Classic Wedge Salad, Lobster Bisque, Filet Mignon topped with Oscar, Boneless Ribeye and Parmesan Truffle Fries, warm apple cobbler and to drink I had Vernon’s Sterling Margarita. The steak was cooked to perfection and was so tender. I know we’ll be back again, can’t wait to try some of the other dishes.

The food was great! Best steak we had in quite some time. The service was great. The ambiance was unique and fun. We will definitely go back.

If you want a high end steakhouse experience with food that matches that experience then Vernon’s is your place.
The atmosphere is great, the restaurant is deceptively large and has an old school feel but it doesn’t feel dark or confined as a restaurant with no windows could easily be. The staff is dressed to impress including the door guard who plays a superb role.
We had Brittany as a server and she was great. She was attentive, knowledgeable about the menu and she provided excellent service. She had a couple of assistants helping her and they were equally as great.
Now the most important part, the food. From the fresh bread all the way through dessert, it was a great meal. Now I judge any great steakhouse on 2 criteria, the ability to cook my steak to the correct temperature on the first try and the ketchup test (is the steak flavorful enough on its own or does it require ketchup to give it some flavor?). This place wins on both fronts! My steak, the ribeye, was cooked perfectly and the flavor made it the best steak I have ever had. I got the regular ribeye, not the dry aged ribeye, so I can only imagine how that one will taste, which I plan to get on our next visit. The sides were excellent and the seasonal vegetables were a great touch.
Overall we had a great dinner. We thought Ranchers Club was the best steakhouse in Albuquerque, now we have 2 in the city! Ruth’s Chris is coming soon, maybe we will end up with 3!

Well I had not been here in at least 3 years. As it turns out it apparently has new owners and it was clearly updated and remodeled. What I remember from the old Vernons was it was pricey and the steaks and service did not match the prices. I remember the next steak house I went to after the Vernons experience of old was Marcellos which I felt was a big step up from the Vernons of old. Things have definitely changed for the better. We split their best steak and Lobster tail and they cheerfully allowed that at 80 bucks a plate. We also started with those awesome scallops as appetizer and split a caeser. Deserts coffee and a great 75 buck Pinot and we were out of there for $ 380 with tip for two.
It was really good but I think I like Antiquity a little better. Still top notch for ABQ.

I came here for Valentine’s day (i know, i know cliché) and it was worth every star. I love the gangsta at the door who greets you at the door with a baseball bat. It’s hidden (hense the name) so they will give you a password the day your reservation. The steaks are some of the best, most tender steaks I’ve ever eaten. The crab cakes are to die for, and our server was amazing. He knew what to recommend, what to pair out with, and didn’t judge us (@ least not to our faces) when we told him we had a gift certificate.

Amazing experience! Truly! You must try it at least once. The steak was literally to die for. My wallet will never forgive me for violating him in that way but the 2 weeks of work that it took to pay for me and my girlfriend for gave me exactly what I paid for in food and experience.

Johnny Peralta
Vernon’s Speakeasy and VIP Service
Vernon’s Speakeasy is a first stop destination for anyone visiting the Land of Enchantment and as always a hot spot for the locals. Your experience will be unlike no other. From the very moment you arrive at the conspicuously large black door with red light above, be sure to knock three times and give your secret password to the doorman patiently waiting for you on the other side of the peephole. You are welcomed in by Jackamoe Buzzell or Machine Gun Joe who promptly lay down the do and don’ts and the consequences if you happen to break these rules. They also remind you that you are a VIP just as much as any of the famous movie and film stars who are pictured throughout the walls, and if anyone bothers you be sure to let them know and they will graciously take care of them. When the secret button is pressed, the makeshift bookshelf/​hidden wall opens up and you enter into the dining room where your waiter awaits.
The menu is every little bit of mouth watering elegance. My favorite is the Los Ranchos Star, USDA-​Prime, center cut, bone-​in rib-​eye. Remember, Prime is number one when it comes to cuts of beef, given by the U.S. Department of Agriculture to describe the highest quality beef and other meats in terms of tenderness, juiciness and flavor, followed second by Choice. Leaving room for dessert, Vernon’s has a delightful menu of assorted sweets to choose from, guaranteed to be a hit.
One sure thing to do while you are sitting back relaxing and enjoying the ambiance with live music, ask about the VIP tour. You will be escorted to the VIP area where you will learn about the perks of becoming a VIP. My favorite perk as a VIP is the car service, to and from home. When reserved, you can relax just a bit more not having to worry about arriving late for reservations or getting home safely. Of course there are many other benefits such as discounts, special VIP only events, having your name plaque up on the Black Diamond wall with many notoriety VIP’s and many more.
This is my review of what I think is the best place in New Mexico for a steak, the best place for a quiet romantic dinner, and the best place to just hang out and put down a signature drink like Bow’s Bullet made by a master mixologist. Yup, no fluffing the drinks here, they muddle fresh fruits in their drinks to sooth the pallet. They also have the greats, Louis Xiii, King George, and a variety of tequilas, wines, and other top shelf spirits to suit your fancy. Lastly, but certainly not least, I cannot leave out how professional and courteous the staff always conducts themselves. They certainly give Vernon’s that magic touch from beginning to end.

I had been wanting to come here for the longest time to eat a nice dinner after having a happy hour here once and this place did not disappoint. It’s kinda fun atmosphere with its hidden entrance and password to get in. The inside is very dimly lit but makes for a nice romantic atmosphere. You immediately feel like you are in a different place and time.
The food is amazing! Steaks are perfectly cooked and the portions are pretty large so my husband and I ordered one steak and had appetizers and sides and it ended up being plenty of food. Must say one of the best steaks I have had in the city. I also ordered the scallop appetizer which the waiter asked if I wanted as an entrée but I’m glad i opted to keep it an app as it was plenty of food on its own. Scallops were cooked to perfection. The mac and cheese was very rich but oh so tasty with bits of ham in it so yummy I couldn’t stop eating it.
Service was on par with the food. I never felt like we were unattended. The waiter kept our drinks refilled and checked on us often enough but not so much to be annoying.
Lastly I really enjoyed the crème brule for dessert, it is one of my favorite desserts. That also comes in a huge portion that you can share as well. The waiter brought it out and torched it right in front of us to get that crispy caramelized sugar coat on top, my mouth is watering as I type this.
We left the place so full and somehow managed to still have some left overs. I must say this is a great place to bring a date you’d like to impress, special occasion, or just treat yourself for no reason at all. Customer service here is also spot on, if you have any issues at all, the manager will make sure to take care of you. I look forward to coming back here again sometime.

It is probably one of the better steak places in town. Food it really good. Crab cake appetizers are excellent start if you like those. My rib eye was cooked to order. The jazz singer Lori Micheals was memorable and brought the whole evening together. Would like to hear her again.
So why only 3 stars? We were early for the reservation and were asked to wait in the bar. After 15 mins and seeing three empty tables in the dining room we asked again if we could be seated (we were still early for a 7pm reservation to be fair). The hostess was dismissive and reminded that our the reservation was at 7 and we would be seated then. Well ok then.
A very short time later were were seated. I felt awkward, they felt awkward. Overall not fatal flaws but the tone of the evening started rough. Was just wishing I had gone elsewhere early in the night.

Best place in Albuquerque To Impress your clients when they come into town. Best steak in Albuquerque that I have had so far. great vibe, amazing top notch service.

The entire experience is amazing, from beginning to end. I made a reservation at Vernon’s for my boyfriend’s birthday. This was probably my fourth time at Vernon’s, but my boyfriend had never been — so I was super excited to take him. We went to «Los Ranchos Liquors» and knocked on the door. The small window slid open and we were asked for a password. Once inside the small room, we were given instructions. They changed the entrance up a bit from the last time I was there — I liked it a lot better. We were seated right away. Our waiter was awesome and recommended some great red wine from California (which of course, I can’t recall the name of). One reason I really enjoy Vernon’s is because it is very intimate. I like the dim lights, live pianist, black walls, candles — love it all. I ordered the rib eye with a baked potato and my boyfriend ordered the filet mignon with fries. We split a salad which was really delicious, and definitely big enough to split. Our steaks were cooked perfectly! They were SO GOOD! Although my rib eye was excellent, I think I’ll get a filet mignon next time… it was so delicious and tender. They brought out an apple cobbler with some ice cream complimentary for my boyfriend’s birthday and it was awesome. We also ordered a tiramisu and it was pretty decent — not the best, but still tasty. Vernon’s is definitely on the pricy side, but well worth it!

This is one of the coolest places I’ve been to in a very long time. The atmosphere is great, and the food was awesome. It made for a great night out, will definitely be coming back.

Stopped here because we were looking for Walter White’s grave marker which is accross the parking lot. Waiter took us on a tour of the place. It was totally empty because we were here between lunch and dinner. Waiter Josh was so nice we decided to get an appetizer and a drink. Shrimp tacos, Marble Oatmeal Stout and a house Chardonnay was very good. The place is upscale and pricey but the «Speakeasy» motif was fun. We really really want to come back at night when the mobster theme and actors and piano bar is in full swing. If we do we’ll rate it again. So far this rating is really a «potential» rating but it really feels good here. Multiple rooms make this huge place seem very intimate.

Ehhh… I wasn’t very impressed. Went with some colleagues while in town on business. The gangster spiel at the beginning was kitschy and kind of cute for it’s cheesiness.
I started with the watercress salad, which featured beets, orange segments, and bleu cheese, while my colleagues went with the classic wedge. I was happy with my salad, it was pretty much the highlight for me. Wedge looked delicious.
For an entrée I opted for the ribeye, rare, with truffle mashed potatoes and «smother» on the side. I know, kind of defeats the purpose of a smother, but I wanted to preserve what I was hoping would be a nice crusty sear on my steak. It was not as crusty as I had hoped, and was cooked more like medium-​rare than rare. It was also not such a high-​quality steak, which was very disappointing. Should have been a thicker cut, with more beefy flavour. The «smother» of mushrooms and onions with demiglace was tasty but I would have liked more of a wine note to give it more dimension. Side of veggies was pea pods and carrots and I enjoyed them quite a bit.
The mash, though. Ugh. Those were the worst mashed potatoes I’ve had in a long time. Lukewarm, dense, imperceptibly tinged with truffle, and altogether unpleasant. I was wishing I had gone for fries like my colleague.

Knock, knock.
Shhh, it might be the fuzz.
I’ve been, many times knocked out by the one-​two combo Vernon’s Speakeasy delivers.
Boom– flattened like the carnivorous cocktail snob I am. It’s pricy and that’s all right. The joint delivers.
The décor is as seductive as it gets. The black diamond plastered walls perfectly reflect the softly candle lit spaces. A sultry piano graces the main dining area. The sound of it’s tinkling ivories gently floats in the air softly turning voices into notes. It’s vibrant but remains soft if needed.
The service has always been top notch. Once I ordered a Cabernet Sauvignon and a Pinot Noir was delivered. I merely informed my waitress and she quickly resolved the issue after sternly chastising herself. She let me keep the Pinot. Yay! In the four times I have been to Vernon’s, this was the only mix up.
It is true, you can not get away with ordering an entrée per person. Which is fine, as I’ve never understood the whole sharesies dining experience, unless it’s tapas. I’m like– Do. Not. Touch. MY. Steak.
Each visit has been perfect. The service, the food, the atmosphere have consistently exceeded my expectations. The door man kinda scares me. I’m like, Hey Fellah I’m not wearing a wyah jeez.
And now I want a cocktail.
And maybe something grilled.

So glad I came across this awesome Speakeasy venue! I’m new to town and from California so I love finding these types of restaurants in a cool town. Makes for a better experience coming to Albuquerque. Had a little trouble looking for the door only bcs it was raining.
Was greeted right away and sat right after taking a picture with the door man. Our server was very helpful and the food was great. If I’m ever passing through again I would definitely stop by. Fun place to have a dinner.

Food was good. Service was great, though it did feel a bit like we were being recruited for a VIP membership. I don’t really care to hear about the different celebrities that frequent the place, their dalliances while dining/​drinking at Vernon’s, or the staffs assessment of particular celebrities personalities. Makes me less inclined to ever consider paying for a membership when staff contradict the notion of privacy of members and the entertainment at the door which highlights the importance of respecting privacy while dining.
That being said, I will gladly return for the experience and food as a general patron. The only real complaint that I have was that some of the drinks offered on the menu (e.g., the flights) were not what we received with our order. Come to find out, all of the scotches that were said to be with one particular mid-​range flight (four «sample» options) were substituted with less expensive ones, as none of the four we received were what was listed in the menu. After going to Costco and realizing that I could have bought a single bottle of any one of the four scotches for the same price that I paid for the entire flight, I will make sure to ask what is actually being served before ordering.
Overall I was satisfied with my time there, but they should not advertise drinks that are not what you get.

Finally broke down and headed out to Vernon’s, which was big step for «Mr Stingy,» as I’m rather notoriously frugal. As some have mentioned, Vernon’s prices are not «Abq light» but I quickly found out that I received everything i paid for and more (fair disclosure, I did use a Verizon points reward for a free entrée– check your pts if you use verizon ;)
The usual schtick at the door, smoothly played, with a just a short wait to our table. We started with Tomato Bruschetta and Sesame Tuna Wontons… you could eat Tuna Wontons for days, the Ahi was cooked perfectly, sauce was amazing, crisp wontons (don’t you hate when they arrive soggy?), and a plentiful amount for the price.
Tomato Basil Bisque was up next, and did not disappoint, not too heavy on the cream, yet easy enough on the spice (as much of NM relies too heavily on this, IMO).
Black Truffle Cream sauce topped my boneless Ribeye, which was of course cooked exactly as ordered. A bit of a heretic, I like very little pink, which I know probably drives line cooks bananas, yet here it was just perfectly cooked. Sauce was quite tasty, though honestly Vernon’s steaks really don’t need any sauce.
Service was top notch from start to finish, with a nice offer to finish our final round of drinks on their VIP patio, where we were lucky to catch the final few songs from a superb singer/​songwriter from Santa Fe, Alex Maryol, just rounded out a really great evening. Even without the verizon discount, the bill was still reasonable considering the ambiance, quality of food, level of service, and final treat on the patio. One of us even left reading glasses on the table, which were safely waiting to be picked up the following day in a bag marked by name, which was a nice gesture. Might be a little while before a return b/​c of my cheapskate nature, but when I splurge it will be at Vernon’s, def a dual thumbs up here.

Vernon’s is with out a doubt my favorite place for fine dining in abq.
Yeah, the whole secret code/​speakeasy theme is fun once or twice, but that’s not why i love this place.
Their service is top notch. Their cuts of meat are top notch. Their drinks are top notch. The experience is top notch. You get the idea.
I’ve been to all the $$$$ restaurants, (Marcello’s, Antiquity, etc.) and all are great meals, but I put Vernon’s is ahead of the pack.
Why, you ask?
The ambience is probably the biggest reason. Vernon’s takes me out of Albuquerque. I feel like I’m at a NYC speakeasy.
Another reason… and I don’t feel weird saying this… the Adult Mac and Cheese. Yes, Mac and cheese is one of the reasons I think Vernon’s is the best restaurant in Albuquerque. Holy heavens, it’s good.
I’m gonna stop here. I’m hungry.

Pro Tip #1: It’s the unmarked door at the liquor store.
Living in New York City, I’ve been able to track down my fair share of speakeasies with relative ease, whether they’re below street level in some alley, or behind some inconspicuous closet-​like door within another establishment altogether. But pulling into this stucco strip mall and the accompanying lot posed a challenge for me, as it seemed more wide open and presented more possibilities of where Vernon’s could be versus the tight quarters, this-​must-​be-​it discoveries of Downtown Manhattan. So, here I am to help you from looking like a lost city slicker such as myself — it’s the steel door with the red light above it, like I said, at the liquor store. You’re welcome.
Once you give the password (provided to you via a breaking-​the-​fourth-​wall hostess when she calls to confirm your reservation), you are greeted by some ‘20s gangster types who explain the rules of the joint. It’s all in good fun, so you might as well play along, but my take is that you can have a modern-​day speakeasy without the cheesy speakeasy characters. Of course, the guy who gave us the business played the part well, and not to mention was a pretty huge dude, so I might just keep that sentiment to myself if I see him again.
Whether by design or not, the dining room felt like a pop-​up spot where they just draped black tablecloths over everything and staged a live pianist in the corner, as if they could easily scoop up shop and turn over the set-​up if the feds rolled through. It was dark and romantic, with a certain high-​low kind of appeal, but also sleepy in a True Detective Season 2 type of way.
That said, once we were settled at our table, our waiter (who was not in character) was excellent, and offered up a ton of recommendations, most importantly this next one.
Pro Tip #2: Request the Red Chile sauce with your steak.
You’re in New Mexico — and green and red chiles are going to be your next obsession if you aren’t from around these parts. But this sauce isn’t listed with the béarnaises and au poivres. It’s actually part of the Hatch Red Chile Pork Tenderloin entrée (a very tempting selection if I wasn’t so dead-​set on steak) and I would’ve never thought to ask for it for my Ribeye if it wasn’t suggested to me. It was obviously the right move — adding a smokey, slightly spicy zip to my flavorful and perfectly cooked hunk o’ meat. To me, this is what a Southwestern steak should taste like.
We also split the Wedge Salad which, despite being listed as one of their signature dishes, was very blue cheese-​heavy. It was a little too much for me, but this cheese overload seems to be par for the course here in New Mexico. I didn’t take a liking to that as much as the chiles, let’s just say, but to others, this may be right up their alley.
A third trend I touched upon was putting garlic in pretty much everything. This one I can get on board with. Garlic in the olive oil dip for your bread, garlic in my Dirty Mashed Potatoes side — yes and yes, please.
Pro Tip #3: Know your altitude.
Vernon’s cocktails are stiff and quite sizable. I had the Grand Basil Sour (Bourbon, Grand Marnier, sour mix, basil, and orange zest, on the rocks) and their signature Sterling Margarita (Don Julio 1942, Cointreau, lime juice, agave nectar, and a Grand Marnier float) — both a touch on the sweet side, but recommended all the same. That said, two drinks are going to feel like five. This is due to 1) their inherent strength from the get-​go, and mostly 2) the fact that you are at about a 5,000 foot elevation. I read a lot about New Mexico’s DUI issues, so be responsible and maybe find a date who will DD for you if you choose to imbibe.
Speaking of dates, I wouldn’t get to know someone here at Vernon’s for the first time. Given the leisurely pace, the high cost, and intimately quiet setting, maybe save it for an anniversary, special occasion, or a «seal the deal» type of situation — not a first date. Which is probably all the more important you know someone fairly well given the fact I’ve just offered them up as your designated driver. Sorry, said date with such responsibilities, but a delicious steak awaits as your reward. Stay safe, you crazy kids!

I don’t know if I can review this secret place because you can’t see it from the road. It is only accessible by password. What a great night out. incredible food and amazing people. can’t wait to come back here next time we come to town! Don’t mess with the doorman, those bats ain’t for baseball !

There are two things that make a perfect night for me, Vernons delivers both
1. Live, soothing music while dining
2. an expensive steak that’s worth it.
We’ve done Vernons a half a dozen times since we moved here last fall, and it’s my favorite place. The service is the kind of professionalism I wish other places exhibited.
The other thing for me, is, this place, every time, triggers my «foodie high» that buzz you get every so often after a prefect meal. I feel like I’m always chasing it, trying new places in the hopes of feeling that way.
This time I got the feature steak, instead of the fillet. The feature is the fillet, vegitable and starch (truffle potatoes for me) but also had beef wrapped asparagus, topped a la Oscar with flash fried carrot chips as garnish. It was devine. The steak was done so perfectly you could eat it if you had no teeth. When finished, I sat back, closed my eyes, and my brain just swam as the woman played away on the piano. A perfect evening like this is worth every penny.

Great place. Ambience was a 10, service was a 10. Food was a 7. Drinks were a 10. It has an element of surprise and a theme. Great place to take a first date.
Update: Manager contacted me and offered a refund/​credit for my meal which was very nice and professional. Although I declined because I don’t leave reviews on Unilocal to get free food. I leave reviews because I feel like I’m doing the community a service. I gave this place 5 stars (mostly for service and ambiance). I will give it another try and chalk the par food I experienced to it being late at night on an off night (which shouldn’t be an excuse at a restaurant of this caliber). It’s worth the money I paid just for the exceptional service and ambience alone. Hopefully the food lives up to my expectations on my next visit.

I’ve been to Vernons twice now. Guests always get a hoot out of the speak easy password and entry lecture.
I’ve ordered the fish of the day and shared steaks with others, the food is spectacular, the pricing is very high, but if you’re looking for the highest level of service and a memorable experience Vernon’s is top notch!

Kudos on the effort (the speakeasy door, ask for password, and playful «are you the cops?!» was quite fun), but this place just makes me miss LA and the more authentic attempts at recreating this era.
I admit I am spoiled by unbridled access to the establishments of Angelino entrepreneurs who spend years and life savings creating fascinating interiors based on earnest love of certain historical and cultural movements and periods in time. Places that come to mind are Sassafras on Hollywood Boulevard, the Redwood downtown, or Rising Sun Denim in Eagle Rock. However, I am in Albuquerque, and this is where I am dining for my parent’s 40^th anniversary (yay!)
The food is quite good, the service a bit green but polite and ready to fulfill any request. Steaks are $ 50, $ 60, $ 70. They are good cuts cooked perfectly. Our waiter explained where each piece of meat was sourced and how it should taste, which was nice. I like a little story to go with my $ 60 protein.
The one nagging thing I just can’t get over was the piano player. While he did seamlessly transition through like 30 different songs with only one break, he was playing 50s/​60s ballads and standards. I think I heard some Gershwin, but they were totally missing the Chicago/​NY jazz vibe. Where was the Louis Armstrong, Fats Waller, or even Cab Calloway? The decoration were some paintings I think I saw at TJ Maxx 5 years ago in the bachelor section — a screenprint in acrylic of Al Capone with a menacing quote floating around the canvas. Just kind of cheap and inauthentic. Perhaps I need to let go and have more fun, but I suppose I was just expecting a bit more than I should have been.

Being the bar rat that I am, you know where to find me at Vernon’s…at the bar (duh!), sipping on artisan cocktails and nibbling the savoriest of appetizers! If you’re looking for a quality classic cocktail, this is your place — fresh ingredients, good booze, and just the perfect combination of the two. My favorite, of course, is an old fashioned, but there are plenty of delectable signature drinks to choose from (full menu on their website).
Who says you’re too old to eat mac and cheese?!! It’s like I always say — add bacon to anything and it’s gold! The lovely bartender recommended that we order the Adult Mac & Cheese, and substitute the ham for bacon… pure genius. It was so good the first time, that my cousin and I returned a week later and each ordered our own plate of it! The Wrapped Scallops appetizer is also to-​die-​for. It’s a little on the pricey side, but totally worth it. The Vine Ripened Tomato Bruschetta was tasty, but was heavy on the tomatoes and very light on the cheese. The shrimp tacos are excellent — thick pieces of fresh shrimp wrapped in jicama — very healthy too! I will admit that I have not yet had dinner here… but so far heard nothing but praise, especially for the prime rib! You bet your boots I’ll be back for dinner soon!
As for the atmosphere… This is a classy joint. Dress to impress. It’s a modern speakeasy, so secrecy is part of its charm. There’s no sign on the entrance, only a red light. Know the password to get in the door (call ahead). Once you’re in, fuh-​get abawt it… The ambiance is serene. The soft diffuse lighting and calm murmur of conversation with smooth jazz performed in the background foster an anodyne experience rivaled by few establishments, if any, in this city. The live performances are superlative and relaxing. The DCN Project is one of my absolute faves!
This place is great for dates as well as happy hour cocktails/​tapas with a few friends (4:30−6:30 M-​F). There is also a cigar patio that I have yet to enjoy.
I highly recommend Vernon’s! It has quickly become one of my favorite places in town!

I’d heard good, I’d heard bad, so I knew I had to try for myself. I love a good steak, and I’d already been to Marcello’s and The Rancher’s Club, not to mention a few others, so it was time to get down to Vernon’s.
OK, so you might have heard this is a speakeasy. Well friend, I’ve been to a few speakeasy-​themed bars and restaurants in my day, and I found Vernon’s to be in keeping with most of those other establishments (passwords, darkly lit) but a little over the top. The guy at the door has obviously seen The Godfather a few times, and is really into his schtick about «the rules» and enforcing them at the end of a baseball bat. Couple the bad accent with the pinstripe suit and the saddle shoes, and the end effect was a little cheesy.
Anyway, onto the food and service. We entered after being told the rules (keep you voice down, turn off your cellphone, if you see someone famous don’t approach them), and were told to sit at the bar and wait to be seated. This would have been fine, if there had been a bartender to serve us libations during the interim. Instead, we were just sitting there for five minutes while two women on the right munched their food and chattered, and another guy to our left sucked down his whiskey with the aplomb that only an old alcoholic can muster. Eventually the barkeep appeared, and we decided we wanted to have their «signature» Manhattan, only to be informed after ordering it that they didn’t have the bourbon required. *sigh* OK, beer and wine.
We were seated on time for our reservation, and perused the menu. I figured I’d give them a shot and try their «signature» items all night. The special was a Piedmont steak, and the server (who was also the bartender) gave us the little history of smuggling the cows, and how the other meats are hand selected 2% of steaks in the country. I decided on the Piedmont, my date had the Rio Rancho Star steak; we ordered both medium rare. My steak came out and it was indeed very tasty, and cooked perfectly. The Rio Rancho Star was overcooked, and the demi-​glacé on it was too salty. If the steak is supposed to be in the top 2% of meat in the country, let the meat do the talking. Take away: skip the demi-​glacé.
As mentioned in the previous paragraph, the bartender was also our server and he disappeared for spaces of time. In fact, all the serving staff did. I’m not sure where they went, but the place wasn’t busy on a Tuesday night and there was a notable absence of staff. Maybe we caught them on an off night? I think there was a private party in the other room, so maybe that was to blame.
That being said, when the bill was over $ 200 I expected a little something more for my money. I’m not averse to dropping coin for a good meal at a nice spot, but I found it tough to justify that kind of outlay for the experience I received. The piano jazz ambiance was nice, but the food and service did not make up the balance.
All in all, I might would come back to sit at the bar and enjoy some libations in a low lit, jazzy space, but I would not be jumping at the chance to overpay for quality (but ill prepared) food items.