Melissa C.
Yelp
I wanted to like this place so badly, I even gave it multiple tries but can't say I'd come back. This is going to be long but it's necessary.
My first visit I came for what I thought was brunch on Sunday. Our server Danielle gave us the lunch menu. I asked if there was brunch and she said no, only breakfast and lunch. I said bummer, I could swear there were brunch options and that I'd look online for the menu. All of a sudden she realize that yes there were brunch board available which ended in 2 hours. It was almost as if she didn't want us to order them which was strange. We ordered the chicken and waffles board which was delicious. But ordered and giving us the bill was the only time we saw Danielle. So service was below par.
Decided to give it a second shot and came again this past Sunday with some friends, we wanted to do their "Gin & Jazz Afternoon Tea" event. Our server this time was Jose. We had literally just put our butts in the chairs and realized one of the seats was completely in the sun and that girl was going to burn from the sun. We asked if we could perhaps move to another table, and he said there was nothing he could do and that he couldn't move the sun...uhhh. Not what we were asking but okay. Then he follows it up asking what we want to drink, but how would we know if you see we haven't even had a moment to look at the menu?? Again, service was not good. He brought out our food but otherwise was non-existent until it was time to pay the bill. If we ever needed anything we had to ask the server of the table next to us. I felt so bad that he had to do his coworker's job for him. But all of a sudden when it's time for Jose's shift to end and he is relying on us to tip him and close out our checks, he comes by 3 times in less than 10 minutes. How convenient.
I also found it strange that we were there for the afternoon tea and jazz, and specifically requested the afternoon tea menu, but we were put at the very end of the restaurant away from where the jazz band was playing...? Would've made more sense to put us by the music since we specifically requested to do the afternoon tea event, compared to others who were just there for regular lunch service.
Now for the food. The afternoon tea tower was $70/ person and included a cocktail ( valued at $20). We decided to start with a 2 person tower and a chicken & waffles board. The finger food tower came out and we were shocked. They wanted $100 for barely enough food for even one person!! Please look at the picture I'm attaching and tell me that this afternoon tea tower is worth $100. I understand it's finger food and not meant to be a full meal, but there is no way that could be valued at $50/ per person for a few bites. This event would've been better off as a children's event because the quantity of finger food for 2 adults was unreasonable.
We ordered another chicken & waffles board and that was great as usual, and definitely worth the value for $35. Overall, like many restaurants by the water in OC, you're really just paying for the ambiance, location, and "vibe". Definitely not the service and it's good that I saw a job posting for a server is open because they need to retrain their staff. There's no reason why I've been twice in 2 weeks and both times had rude service before I even ordered!
The only saving grace of giving the 2 stars is the chicken & waffles board which was fantastic, and the server who was working with the table next to us who we had to ask to service our table because our server was nowhere to be found. His name was Phillip and he was so kind!! A true southern gentleman. Our table kept saying we wished we had him as our server instead. Phillip was considerate, attentive, kind, and so so friendly. He really was the highlight of our brunch and if for some reason I find myself back here, I will specifically ask for him. Otherwise, can't say I'd come back.