10. Walkers Drive-In

Have been fortunate enough to have dined at Walker's on numerous occasions. The food, the wine, and the service are all top-notch. The freshest ingredients prepared wonderfully. Starting with the softshell crabs (in season), the fried portabello mushrooms... there have been times that my party will be happy to just go through the "starters" menu (not to forget the extensive wine list) and finish up with either the fabulous creme brulee or the "why-I-spent-an-extra-at-the-gym" brownie and ice cream.

HAD DINNER AT THE RECOMMENDATION OF A FRIEND. I COULDN'T BELIEVE I HAD NEVER BEEN TO WALKER'S. IT IS A RETRO 50'S DINER INSIDE WITH THE BEST FOOD IN JACKSON...MAYBE THE BEST FOOD ANYWHERE. THE PRICING WAS SLIGHTLY LOWER THAN OTHER FINE DINING RESTAURANTS I'VE TRIED . THE RESTAURANT HAS A COOL LAID BACK FEEL. I ABSOLUTELY LOVED IT. I CAN'T WAIT TO GO BACK.

I had my first dining experience at Walker's on New Years Eve 2005. The food, wine, and service were all exceptional. I highly recommend the Nantucket Bay Scallop appetizer (the flavor made my taste buds erupt as I contemplated over the Everything Crusted #1 Tuna or the Veal and Lobster Scaloppini.) I enjoyed a delightful Walker's House Salad with Maytag Bleu Cheese and a nice glass of chardonnay as I awaited the tuna. Our server presented an amazing sushi grade tuna prepared rare-med. rare with what appeared to be a chipotle graze. Afterward, we all enjoyed an OUTSTANDING freshly caramelized sugar coated crème Brule (one of the best I have tasted!) and fresh brewed coffee. I would highly recommend this establishment to all friends and family that are seeking a small diner that presents fine dining with the hustle and bustle or the restaurant business (that is usually behind the scenes!) A truly outstanding experience!

Made reservations for New Years Eve several days in advance. No mention was made of a 4 course set menu for $65 a person with a mandatory 18% tip. Our party of 4 decided to stay anyway even though we were shocked at the price. The restaurant is not up to that price, considering Commander's Palace in New Orleans was only charging $50 per person. At the end of our modest meal, we were charged another $2 per person for coffee. I was beginning to suspect we would be required to pay extra for each restroom visit. This brought our total bill to $360 for the four of us, a totally unacceptable cost. I am still in shock. What made it worse; some of the other diners were only charged $45 per person, as we overheard them complaining later. We sat at a booth with just enough room for our bellies to lap over the table as we ate. We had to breathe in to exit the space. The service was terrible. The waitperson had to return several times to inform us that they were out of our selection. On a scale of 10, our experience would rate a -2. It is not worth a return visit on New Years or any other day.