Udo M.
Yelp
We gave it a try for the first time. Nice place indeed. It wasn't that busy at all for a Saturday evening. Maybe 1/3 was occupied.
As we all know, the first impression you get when you go into a restaurant, and they have a so-called "hostess," is that you, as a guest, are greeted with a welcoming smile or at least with some interest or a few words. But I had the impression that the young girl who was supposed to be the hostess either didn't have enough training, was not in the mood to at least try to be a little bit more outgoing and friendly, or she didn't know the basics of common manners. Not a good impression for the first few minutes to encounter some snooty young girl as welcome personnel.
Nevertheless, after we walked to a table/booth, she just put the menus down and left without a word. Lovely.
Shortly after that, a very nice and friendly young staff member asked us what we'd like to drink. After a while, our waitress came by with our drinks and asked us if we were ready to order. She seemed quite nice and friendly. My spouse ordered the tuna melt with fries, and I had the half chicken with mac-n-cheese and some vegetables.
We also received some very good warm bread with a soft inside and nice crispiness outside before our meal was served. Very good. Many restaurants should take an example from that.
We didn't have to wait too long for our food, which we kind of expected because the place wasn't that busy anyway.
My spouse loved his dish, and I must say it was one of the best roasted chickens I have had for a long time. The seasoning and the crisp skin on it were outstanding. Also, the mac-n-cheese was delicious. Not as heavy and oily as many are in some places. The vegetables were nicely roasted and had a nice bite.
At the time we were done eating, the restaurant was quite empty--maybe 4 or 5 other tables with customers. Lots of staff were there for sure. That is why we were a bit at odds that we didn't see much of our waitress anymore. Only once did she come by and ask us how the food was. Then, after we ate, we couldn't see her at all. I had to ask a busboy to please bring me a box for my leftovers. Then we waited again to see the waitress so we could pay. We were sitting there for quite some time patiently. Then I finally had to ask another staff member that we would like to pay.
The "hostess" swept by and put the bill on the table without saying anything, of course.
Then our waitress came over after a few minutes to collect the payment. Shortly after, we were done with that. She was very friendly, but in general, for the little business going on while we were there, and with that many staff members, we did expect to have a bit more attention from our server. There was no reason to let us sit there for so long to finish up.
As said, the food was fantastic, and the staff was very friendly except for the hostess (I know, the irony). Just paying a little more attention to customers, especially when it is not busy, would be advisable.