Karen B.
Yelp
On Saturday, 4/13, I invited family and friends for dinner to celebrate my birthday. I delayed writing this because I feel that some parts are surreal... I will break it up in a few parts. I really wanted to love this place and was excited to try something new and support a black woman owned restaurant.
Reservations: I tried to reserve online through Google Assistant. Something told me to call to confirm our party of 11, and after a few attempts, I was able to connect with someone. She was nice and kind, made me excited for dinner.
The beginning: the first half of us showed up, waiter offered us water. After the rest of the party arrived, waiter never returned. Eventually I called him over and asked if we could get water for everyone and order our food. Our waiter brought us bottles of water and said that there are items NOT available. Ok, no problem... What are they? He said he had to go get the LIST! The list??? Oh and there were never more than two couples in the restuarant while we were there. And one person at the bar.
The middle: waiter came back with the list of unavailable dishes and it was because they had a large party the day before. Um, ok luckily they weren't anyone's order. I would have liked to know BEFORE we had to wait over 20 mintues to place our order. Then I asked for cornbread and he said he had to check -- again. Came back and said no cornbread. Wait! What?!? Not going to lie... I said I needed a drink. Our party was too large to find another place to eat so we stayed. We placed our food orders and off he went. I asked for a drink. Waiter took my order and didn't ask anyone else. When he came back with my drink I asked if he could get everyone's drink order as well. Sharing some of the dishes... My brother ordered the tomahawk to find out about 10 mins later that they didn't have it. Disappointed. My niece ordered French toast (it was on the physical menu) got waffles. Ordered a side of greens, it was kale chips and crunchy. My uncle ordered mahi mahi with collard greens, he too got crunchy greens. I ordered catfish with slaw, also got the crunchy greens. Why? That is NOT what we ordered. No apologies or acknowledgment of the inconsistencies. The crab cakes were mostly cornmeal and very little crab meat... I would have preferred the cornbread. Again no cornbread, oh and no, hush puppies. On top of all, with the exception of the mac and cheese, all the food was lukewarm. My mom returned her gumbo to have it reheated. The rest of us just ate our food.
The end: we stayed, we ate, we didn't complain just because we know there could be reasons why our experience is the way that it is and really just wanted to have a nice time. I LOVED my time with my family and friends. We laughed and enjoyed each other's company. The music was great and was the best part of the dinner. I wish I can take away more than that... along with a story of this evening because I have never had this kind of an experience before. We left paying with 20% gratuity added and not so much of a check in or acknowledgment of the downfalls. The vegan gumbo cost the same as the meat gumbo ($30)... how is that fair?!?!
It would have hurt a little less if we were offered a small snack or something... I know we were not the only customers upset about all the missing menu items.