Three Flames Restaurant & Banquets

Great for large groups, have large rooms to shut the kids in, server served 20+ with next to no mistakes. Everyone found things they were excited to eat and there are options at all price ranges. No cake cutting fee is super appreciated and easy to make reservations with too!

Every aspect of the place was a disappointment except for the bus boys who kept my water glass constantly filled. We reserved a spot for 13 people over two months ago. We asked for a spot in the back room. We had to wait at least 20 minutes to be seated. While waiting I went the ladies room. It had two stalls and one toilet did not work at all and the other barely flushed. We were seated in the main room. Most of the adults in our party had gone to the bar for drinks so when we were seated most ordered a second drink. Menus were presented immediately upon being seated. Drink orders came at least 20 minutes later. It was at least 45 minutes before the waitress came to take our order after that and that was only because my husband and I asked for an appetizer. In all fairness they did bring bread about 10 – 15 minutes after the cocktails which we were grateful for as there we three kids and a teenager in our party. An hour and a half after we were seated, most likely later, our meals came in various stages, grateful the three younger kids were served first. The only thing that tasted fresh the entrée salad with a plastic cup with dressing. I had the chicken chardonnay… chicken was dry and tasted as though it has been frozen. The sauce was in addition to the chicken lacked pretty much any flavor. I added salt at least three times. The FROZEN mixed veggies had zero flavor. My meal temperature was cool, not hot. This was a common occurance in most of the dishes that were presented. My child got french fries and they tasted totally freezer burned. Husband got the pepper steak and had to add pepper. It should be important to note we had ONE waitress helping where other parties around our size had several, came in later, were served earlier and left before us. The waitress was friendly enough. After some of our party expressed their malcontent we received a partial discount but it was not even close to the lousy service and junk food. I will NEVER return and would not recommend to anyone.

Came here for a birthday dinner. The service was so/​so. Very unfriendly staffed and slow. They messed up my order and the majority of the orders in the dining party. I ordered the porter house steak, it was the absolute worst thing I’ve eaten. After eating half of the steak I bit into a chard part of the steak and I immediately vomited. The taste was absolutely disgusting, it tasted like literal feces. Idk what was done to the steak but it was absolutely horrid. Do yourself and wallet a favor and go to outback or somewhere else.

This is my favorite restaurant in San Jose and has been for two decades. I have never been disappointed, NEVER! I loved the scallone and my husband had his favorite, the pepper steak, both with large. loaded baked potato, salad, veggie and great sour dough bread. With a nice bottle wine and a shared Tiramisu Under $ 100. It was awesome.

Three Flames Restaurant
1547 Meridian Ave
San Jose, CA
I made a reservation on Friday afternoon for dinner for eight adults for the following Saturday at 7 pm. Our party arrived promptly for an evening of good food with friends. We were told that our table was being prepared. The majority of our party waited in the small lobby area while two of us nursed nine-​dollar beer in the bar. Over an hour later (with a reservation), we were seated. It was clear that the management’s main priority was to keep the tables filled with no regard to confirmed reservations. Once seated, we endured a lengthy wait for staff to take our orders. All waitstaff members were extremely busy. It was, again, quite obvious that the management was intent on keep costs at a minimum to the expense of the workers as well as the guests. Dishes were spotty in terms of the quality of the food. The tri-​tip/​shrimp scampi was good as was the veal scaloppine dish. Other were mediocre to flat tasting. My wife and I have had a satisfactory experience with lunch and dinner here at non-​peak times. However, our group consensus was to never come back again. If you still desire to try it. I would avoid weekends and holidays if you have the hope of being treated as a valued customer.

I went into the lounge for dinner as it was relatively quiet, and I ordered my meal. Toward the middle of eating, patrons began setting up for a party of sorts in the lounge! I got bumped by someone setting up a table next to me while I was trying to eat, my table was knocked into by equipment, by people, and the party setup going on around me was unnerving; it was getting very busy, loud, and crowded around me. I was feeling very uncomfortable, I was in the way! During this time the waitress was tending to her bar customers. When the waitress finally got to me, I said «I have to get out of here. I feel very much in the way of this chaos and I’m uncomfortable.» Her words back were «Welcome to my world.»
I wrote emails trying to reach the owner. I was told this was an issue for the staff and everyone there, and that the owner does not believe it. Perhaps he will now. Sadly, my family and friends will not be dining here again either.

We were invited to a 50 year wedding anniversary of my wife’s cousin –my wife is not that old –it’s the cousin that is that old! The luncheon was held at the Three Flames restaurant banquet room.
We received the invitation in the mail –the snail mail, not the e-​mail, as many of the guests were attendees of the wedding 50 years ago, and did not have e-​mail addresses –what no e-​mail addresses?! Actually they had e-​mail addresses, but were reluctant to give it out, for fear they would get swamped with junk e-​mail.
We were given a choice in advance of the main entrée: salmon, pork tenderloin, or chicken breast. Probably two thirds of the guests chose salmon, with pork second, and chicken a distant third. People tend to choose the most expensive dish, if they are being treated, whereas they chose the cheapest dish, if they have to pay for it themselves. And guess who paid?
Three Flames is right on Meridian in a strip mall, with a huge freeway type tower sign next to the busy street, so that you can’t miss it, even if you wanted to!
We were instructed to park in the back, even though there was sufficient parking in the front. Yeah, my sister in law, who drove us, parked her 12 year old, beat up (her words), white Prius with 174K miles right with the delivery trucks, out of sight! Didn’t want to become an eye sore in front of the restaurant for all to see!
We look for a back door entrance — a servant’s entrance — but give up, and go in the front through a door listed as Banquet Room. Reminds me of Banquet as in Banquet TV dinners which I ate around 50 years ago, as a door latch kid.
The Banquet Room is a windowless carpeted room with flat tables, covered by table cloths, with silverware, cloth napkins, and wine glasses. Seating for up to 60 easily. The hosts may have hoped for 60, but only 11 women and 5 men accepted the invitation, all over the age of 40!
Name cards colored orange, yellow, or purple, depending on what entrée you pre-​ordered. Nobody messed around and stuck their name card in their pocket, and ordered something else!
The name cards were arranged so that acquaintances/​friends sat next to people they knew. A few social outcasts were allowed open seating –that happened to be the wife and I!
I wanted to sit next to a fellow old fart, who always had humorous stories to tell, but he was surrounded by his pals.
So I chose two attractive ladies who were by themselves on another end of the table. Me in my shorts, white sandals and Hawaiian shirt –actually several of the guests wore Hawaiian tops, but I was the only one in shorts, and the only guy in sandals, showing off my tennis tanned legs against my white Birkenstock unisex sandals.
Turns out it was a mother and daughter, with the daughter the flower girl at the wedding 50 years ago! Pictures were taken of the daughter holding up her very tiny flower girl dress, which might have fitted her granddaughter!
Service was punctual, and polite, with waiters coming and going from the kitchen. Used plates removed quickly.
Warmed bread was served in baskets, covered with cloth napkins to keep them warm. Salad came with tomatoes, and raw onions, covered with a creamy Italian dressing –so delicious that the wife ate her raw onions, instead of giving them to me!
The salmon entrée came with mixed vegetables –sliced carrots, broccoli, and cauliflower — and rice. Excellent presentation, with a delicate creamy sauce adding flavor to an otherwise ordinary tasting salmon.
Leftover boxes were handed out, but in our section there were no leftovers, as everyone ate everything clean, except for the ex flower girl, now grandmother, who left her vegetables –fortunately her daughter did not take after her!
Liquids included liquid water, powdered lemon flavored carbonated water, and iced tea. At the end of the lunch, sparkling apple juice was served for toasts to the couple being celebrated.
Dessert was a delicious white cake, with a layer of custard, enough for everyone, with seconds, which I got.
Guest of honor was the German born mother of the German born lady celebrating her 50^th wedding anniversary. And they just celebrated her 100 birthday in 2014!
The usual presents to the couple. We gave a picture holder with the words ‘Happy 50^th anniversary’ engraved, along with a glass dish with similar words engraved. So it’s not that uncommon.
Bathroom was conveniently right next door to the banquet room. Host was about to go, when he received a gag gift being passed around: a roll of toilet paper bearing the likeness of 50 euro notes in German!

Three Flames was the location for the Kiwanis Turnaround Scholarship Awards Ceremony. I attended this nicely executed event for my students who won scholarships for turning their lives around. We ended up occupying their large banquet hall, which was quite spacious for the 100 something people in attendance. During the awards ceremony, we were served a three course meal which included: bread, caesar salad, chicken and steak skewers with veggies and rice, and mini ice cream sundaes for dessert. To my surprise, the food was pretty good and was generous in their portions. Overall, if you’re looking for a hassle-​free banquet room option, I would definitely check out Three Flames.

This review is for my morning business meeting at 7:30am. I enjoy coming here for my meeting since breakfast is provided. Their breakfast buffet includes eggs, bacon, sausages, toasts, fresh fruits, coffee, and different types of juice. Rico is the one that serves our group in the morning and he’s always been consistent with his routine and attitude. He’s nice, quick, and always has breakfast ready on time before our meeting starts. The plates are then cleared right when we’re done with eating which I truly appreciates. The restrooms are always clean and I’m happy to come here every Wednesday for our business meeting.

The Chicken Cesar salad is really good, a bit pricy although very tasty. That is actually all I have ordered since the last three times I visited this place.
The last time I visited this place the server wasn’t so great, that’s my reason for 4 stars rather than 5!
Still would come back here although I hope they don’t start laking in customer service once they see you are a regular.

We used a gift certificate for lunch. Got there about 2:00pm and dining room was pretty empty. The dining room is dark but each table was well lighted. (It would be nicer to have daylight at lunchtime.)
We ordered the Prime French Dip with Au jus, Caesar Salad cole slaw and fruit. The beef was some of the best medium rare prime rib we’ve every eaten and the servings were generously portioned. The fruit bowl had large pieces of very fresh melon and berries and again, the portion was at least double what you’d normally get elsewhere.
Overall the meal was excellent. Three Flames is now on our go-​to list of places to eat! Will definitely plan to try their dinner menu.

What a hidden gem! The food is delicious, service was personable, and nice atmosphere! Will definitely be back.

I love coming here on Friday nights. They usually have wine tastings, and then DJ’s starts 9pm. I always order their Gilroy Steaks or Prime ribs or w/​Lobsters. Love clam chowders here, lots of clams in there. They have bottles of wine for purchases there or BYOB for $ 10 corking. There are nights when I go there and it’s a few tables only or it’ll be just my table only. Either way, service staff are always friendly and attentive. Most crowd are usually in the full bar room separated from dining area, which gives you quite the sweet privacy from the noise. Over all, I would recommend this place if you like to enjoy a peaceful dinner with sweet DJ music from the 90s to current selections of music and occasional wine tasting and karaōke nights. Enjoy!

Great service, old style elegance. Dark wood paneled bar. White table clothes. You must visit and tip well.

I am writing a review of the nightclub affiliated with the restaurant. I want to be clear that the nightclub and bar has been a disappointment. I believe that an establishment should enjoy serving a customer with respect and quality service. I recently stopped at the nightclub to meet eligible ladies for dancing and good conversation. I have been a customer on a number of occasions and enjoyed the music and dancing. I didn’t want to prejudge the staff based on my previous experiences, however it was unfortunate the cocktail waitress was less than cordial and somewhat controlling. I discussed this with my friends and it appeared that there were similar concerns.
On the way out I ran into four ladies, who were standing outside the nightclub.
There was a consensus that the waitress was only there to sell drinks with little concern or appreciation. I have experienced the poor attitude from the cocktail waitresses several times before.
I do not plan to return to the Three Flames Nightclub.
Joe M. San Jose

We came here for my graduation and twice for my father’s birthday to eat dinner. Each time services was attentive, including getting a nice birthday cake for my dad after dinner was over and singing him happy birthday. The food has been consistently good over the years. I like the prime rib, which is tasty and well cooked. My dad and boyfriend like the garlic steak, which I had once, but I’m more into prime rib.
The restaurant has always been comfortable. It is a little dark and the patrons of the restaurant seem to be generally a bit older. There also seem to be a lot of regulars who go there, since each time we’ve been there, we see the servers chatting with some of the patrons in a familiar way; and that is a good sign in my book.
My rating comes down one star for a couple of reasons. One is the dark décor. It’s comfortable, but it seems a little bit dated. Also, the servers can be inflexible. For example, my dad prefers not to have a starch with his meal for health reasons and would rather have a salad instead. The server refused his request without tacking on an extra charge. There are a lot of ways this could have been handled without it having become a mini-​confrontation about the price of lettuce.
Still, overall we enjoy coming here and will likely continue to do so.

The food is good but the service leaves much to be desired.
A group of friends and I went for a Monday night karaōke outing in the bar and the host called us «drunks» over the P.A. (in spite of us being sober and well-​mannered). I was charged $ 3.50 for each soda water I drank (3) and the waitress threw an extra charge onto our bill to boot!
No, we won’t be back.

I have been here two years in a row now for their Easter Buffet. I don’t celebrate Easter, so I hang out with the Catholics who like to have a good olé feast for the holiday. The brunch buffet is pretty dang good, I must say. For 28.99 you get the vast brunch buffet, as well as AYCD champagne, mimosas, coffee and tea. Sodas and anything else from the bar is extra.
Once you party has arrived, you are seated at your table, drink orders are taken and then off you go to the buffet. Here were my favorites: Blintz, Deviled eggs, Bruschetta, Pasta Salad, Eggs Benedict, and French Toast.
They also have different cuts of beef, crab legs, smoked salmon, shrimp, loads of breakfast foods like pancakes, eggs, potatoes, bacon, sausage as well as every type of deli salad you could imagine. You really get your money’s worth at this buffet.
I wish that they had labels of what the dish was because some are a bit hard to identify. I will probably be back next Easter!

My husband and I do our «night out» usually on Wednesday during happy hour around 4. Renee usually waits on us. She is warm, friendly, and attentive.
The first Wednesday of this month there was a large, noisy party of rude people in the bar. We suggest they find a different place to meet for their monthly meetings. They do not belong in a friendly neighborhood spot.

Artichoke Mash — Amazing!
Excellent bread, olive oil, salad, chicken marsala, & fish trio special.
Even the drip coffee is excellent.
Service is above average.
Overall experience was great.