Bynum's Steakhouse

On Jan 7, 2012
Bynum's Steakhouse Indianapolis, IN
7:45pm
Upon our arrival, we noticed how packed they were.  We went in anyway, it is Saturday evening and was pretty much expecting a small wait.  We go to the hostess stand, but no one's there.  After a few minutes of waiting and looking around a host greeted us.  I instantly felt sorry for the guy.  He was sweating profusely, I'm guessing he's helping bus tables or in the kitchen.  He was very polite as he takes our name and tells us it'll be about 30-35 minutes.
There really isn't any area to sit to wait.  All's we see is a small bench by the door, which was occupied by a gentleman reading, then see the bar.  The bar wasn't very big, had a total of 7 stools.  There was a party of 4 already there so we began to sit at the other 2 next to them, then realize that the drinks sitting there were fairly fresh.  Just as we contemplate where to go to wait, the host informed the group their table was ready.  YEAH!  We watch them leave, with drinks in their hands, to follow the host.  Now, at this time there's a gentleman behind the bar and I'm wanting a glass of wine while we wait.  He left.
My fiance' and I sat at this bar for 30-35 minutes watching as servers, approximately 8 of them, went behind the bar, poured their drinks then left without any acknowledgement of us, LITERALLY.  I was perturbed.  Not one of them even made eye contact, smiled our way, or anything.  It was like we were invisible.  But, the gentleman who was sitting at one of the two stools we almost sat at, well he was being well taken care of.  He was given another drink, his order taken, and food delivered.... right next to us.  Yet,  not even his server or our sweating host he was conversing with, paid any attention to us.  None.
At this point, we are seriously considering leaving.  Where's the service?  Why is there no one tending to this bar?  Why did not ONE of these servers even acknowledge us?  Were we truly invisible?  I got back to the host stand and grab a menu for us to browse over.
Just as I am considering leaving, after giving my fiance many BS excuses for why there's no bartender, the host comes to get us for our table.  I'm excited!  I can finally get something to drink, and food, I was starving.  A couple minutes after being sat, our server with hands full of dishes acknowledges us and says she'll be right back.  About five minutes later she returns.
She asks for our drink order.  One coke and a glass of Pinot Grigio.  Didn't ask for our appetizer order.  A few minutes later she returns only to drop off the coke.  Another 3 or 4 minutes I get my glass of wine, no water was offered or given.  Just a glass of wine.  Ughhh.  I just know this isn't going to be good service at this point.  As a rule every server should know.... ALWAYS offer water with alcohol, or bring it automatically.  This rule also applies to coffee.  For what used to be the "Best Steakhouse" in Indianapolis, this is a sign of whats wrong.
Once we get my glass of wine, the server asks about appetizers.  We order the Onion Flower.  Once said, she turns to leave.  My fiance' speaks up and asks if we can go ahead and give her our entree order since we already knew what we wanted.  Mind you, we have now been here for about 45 minutes and just now got a drink.  She says she has to put the appetizer order in now, but will be right back for our entree orders.
THAT DIDN'T HAPPEN!
We did not see our server again till she brought us our appetizer.  He asked again about giving her our order.  Again, she says she'll be right back to get it.
THAT DIDN'T HAPPEN... AGAIN!
We truly enjoyed our appetizer.  It was cooked to perfection!  Crispy, not soggy, and the sauce was a perfect balance of heat and sweetness.  I would definitely order this again!!!
Ten minutes have passed since our server brought us our appetizer, and we have yet to have her attention again.  We now have no drinks!  His coke is empty, my wine glass is empty, and had I been given water, we both would've had something to rinse our palettes. 
We are totally frustrated and thirsty at this point, we again consider leaving.  You see, its not like she's not around.  We see her going in and out of the kitchen, since our table was actually one table away from the server exit and entrance to the kitchen. 
My fiance' looks over our booth and she sees him.  He tells me she's on her way.  NOW.... as a server your job is to observe your guest drinks at all times.  Considering she hasn't done this since she hasn't been back to our table like she had said, again, you'd think she'd actually look at our empty glasses. 
THAT DIDN'T HAPPEN..... AGAINNNNN!
She immediately gets her pen and paper ready and asks if we were ready to order!  REALLY???  I was so livid at this that I answered her, very nicely compared to how outraged I was by her lack of service.  I said "Yes, we are, but could we please have something to drink?  Both our glasses are empty and have been for 5 minutes."
Stone-face glare is what I got back.  I obviously offended her, and it showed.  She remembers our drinks and I then ask if I could also get a glass of water.  She says yes. 
Being clearly unhappy with our service, you would think she would apologize for her error, or atleast make an attempt to be more polite to us.
THAT DIDN'T HAPPEN.... AGAIIINNNNNN!
Are you seeing a trend here?
She brings the coke.  Leaves.  Brings the wine.  Leaves.  Brings my water and finally takes our order.
Now, from here on out, and she's minus 3 tables to wait on since they left before we even got our order placed, we have everything out timely. 
The french onion soup... very tasty, would've like more crouton.
Side salad.... perfect size and their homemade buttermilk ranch was AMAZING! 
Bread... a complete turn off.  Basic white loaf bread that lacked flavoring.  Basic butter.  I'll pass on this next time.
My fiance ordered the Ribeye and I ordered the Porterhouse (only $2 difference than just a filet), and we both got loaded baked potatoes.  The steaks were huge, cooked PERFECTLY, hot and so delicious we wished we could eat even half of them.  Same thing for the loaded baked potato.  Totally delicious.
I might add, our server never offered us any more drinks, didn't offer dessert, and only offered to wrap our steaks for take home.  The only time she asked how we were, was to make sure the steaks were cooked properly.  THAT'S IT.
Our total bill was $76 and some change.  Was the food worth it?  MOST DEFINITELY!!! 
Was our service worth anything of a tip?  NOPE.
However, I did give our non-servicing server a 31% tip.  Why?  The food was so amazing, it almost made up for the horrible service we received.  ALMOST.  My belly was happy and my tastebuds were totally satisfied.  Total time of visit: 2 hours, an hour and a half at the table.
Overall assessment:  Service: very poor
                                Food: excellent and worth every penny
                                Appearance: professional and clean
If I were to give Bynum's owners my opinion, I would tell them to do something with their service staff, and ensure they have a bartender every weekend night.  All of this may very well be the lack of making it to the top 10 restaurants in Indianapolis.  I will be back, because the food is amazing, and would love to have service that's atleast good.