The Culinary Institute of America, San Antonio

I attended the barbecue boot camp several years ago and it was a complete waste. Wait, not quite a waste because I learned how to present a pretty plate. The instructor had an enormous chip on his shoulders and clearly resented not being the celebrity chef he thought he should be. A great deal of time was spent just securing tools and ingredients. Worse, the wood-fired grill was not maintained as it should have been and at five pm, on the dot, all tools were removed by the regular students, finished or not. I’d turn around and my knife had gone, turn again and something else was missing.nnIt has been several years since this dreadful experience and I’m still steamed about it. Don’t do it.

Excellent food and ambiance.

I’m sorry but when I had dinner here I had a glazed salmon that was actually burnt when I complained the wait staff told the chef but apparently was to insignificant for her to talk to me they did offer to replace it or exchange it. But it was late in the meal and and my companion. I felt belittled and frankly unimpressed with food but the service was outstanding.

We enjoyed a superb meal at the CIA, San Antonio. The food, service, and presentation were outstanding. What a great experience, and I can't wait to return.

The food was good but the service was terrible. I informed the order taker that I have gluten allergy; she was the only one who knew that meant the rest of the staff should change gloves. That made me hesitant but after explaining the reason for the process, the rest of the staff realized that I also could not eat the tortillas since they were all cooked on the same surface. The experience, however, went downhill from there. Though my order, without tortillas was prepared immediately, my partner's was lost in the shuffle. We waited patiently while others received their orders. After about 5-10 minutes we inquired about his order. We were told to wait. After waiting a little longer we inquired again and explained that we had waited some time while others, who ordered after us, received their orders. The staff scolded my partner, telling him that he should have waited loser to the delivery area - exactly where we had been waiting. My partner offers constructive criticism as the staff were all students, however, they got angry with him and told him he was being inappropriate.