christine s.
Yelp
There was a lot to like about C4, but there were several glaring issues as well. First, the positive:
It looked like a busy day down in Market Square, but we were after the brunch/lunch rush so we were able to get a table outside without a reservation.
Our server let us know that they were new on the job, but he was very friendly and warm.
The menu had good options for most diners, whether watching their waistline or wishing to indulge in Southern cuisine.
The food itself was good. Not outstanding, but good. My salad was a "C4 Favorite" but in my opinion it was nothing to write home about: overdressed greens, strawberries, blue cheese, and candied nuts. Nothing I couldn't throw together at home. My husband had the breakfast plate which was perfectly standard (although I will say the breakfast potatoes were excellent!).
But the cons were enough to disappoint. They appeared to have plenty of staff working, but the kitchen was very backed up and it took ages to get our beverages (even water) and meal. Once our food arrived we had to go chase down silverware- which took several minutes- by which point my husband's eggs were cold. Something may have been going on with the dishwasher, because when my husband went inside to go try to track down cutlery he came back with only one set, so I used the fork for my salad and he tackled his eggs with a spoon and a knife. By the time a second set appeared, we were nearly done eating.
But the biggest issue for me was the bathroom area. Holy moly, that was gross. The restroom itself was fine, but the entire back area of the restaurant leading to the restrooms and inside the ladies (and gents, according to what I heard) absolutely reeked of urine. It was revolting. Had I gone back there before our meal started I would've spun on my heel and turned around and walked right out of there, never to return. I'm guessing they do a bustling nighttime bar trade so I'm sure it was the result of a bunch of drunk college kids celebrating their graduation the day before (and maybe peeing in the corners??), but that is unacceptable in a food establishment. When the manager first walked in to open up Sunday morning, they should've called an "all hands on deck" to get that floor scrubbed before the first customer walked in.
I know margins are very slim in the restaurant business and I know it can be very difficult to hire, train, and retain staff, and I always want small businesses to succeed, but no thank you!
