LeShea B.
Yelp
Saturday
Deep Ellum
Reservations made for 2 for 12:30 (2x Brunch)
No live music
Credit card had to be put on file to book, vía open table.
15 min grace period (you are to call the restaurant if later than this; however, I received no answer when I did- and left a vm).
Dress - I wore jeans
Parking: if you get lucky, street parking is free until 6pm. You can park and walk about a block. There were limited street spaces across from the restaurant, but all full. I ended up paying $16 (ugh) at a parking lot near. I wouldn't do that Parking lot again; there are cheaper ones. The lot I parked at is in the picture of the bird mural in the left corner. Avoid. Too expensive.
The restaurant: it is a speakeasy, soooo it's not very, very easy to find. If you're on the street where "The weed spot" is to your left and the Lebanese restaurant? And you see Federales (a white and black restaurant on the corner on your right? Then you will Turn left on Malcom X and the restaurant is to the right. There's a rose (pictures in review) on the ground in front of the restaurant. I also left Pictures of what you see to your left, right, and directly in front of you (from the perspective of leaving the restaurant)
I absolutely love the Decor of the restaurant. I definitely didn't feel like I was in DFW. This alone makes me want to return.
Drinks:
I ordered "the IV" which was $7. It had kiwi strawberry pedialyte in it (whew, a late night I had) and she ordered grapefruit mimosa- 2 of them, so they were good.
We will come back for cocktails. I would not have to have the IV again. Needed more pedialyte for the hangover I had. Lol
Food:
We didn't order appetizers.
She ordered an entree that had steak, eggs, and breakfast potatoes (forgot the name. Maybe Bisket y juevos). Steak was ordered medium rare, but came out cooked incorrectly. They remade it, and who I'm assuming was the chef? Came out and brought her the plate apologetically -- but left before she could cut it open. Although, flavorful, the steak was still cooked incorrectly. Breakfast potatoes were better, temperature-wise the second time around.
I had ranch tacos ( something new they were testing out) and I wouldn't have to order them again. $14, potatoes were warm, but I felt they had been sitting for a little while- I don't remember, now that I look at the menu description again, having black beans. Limited avocado-- picture of menu and food attached. This dish had corn tortillas, although our server told us it would be flour and that's what I was expecting. Tortillas were single- not doubled. And they were soggy, so I could not successfully pick them up to eat. I had to use fork and knife. Seasoned "ok" but not much flavor. Nothing special about the entree, to me. I was still hungry afterwards and ended up hitting a drive thru.
Upcharges:
We ordered extra salsa for our meals... we saw our server go to the computer. I made the comment that it probably wasn't free-- we discussed with him when the bill came that it's always important to explain to the customer any upcharges so there are no surprises. He made a comment about it just being 75 cents (not being rude, or anything) but again, I told him some people may have an attitude about not being told this information beforehand.
Service: Brian was our server. He was good. Spoke a little fast, though, so it was hard understanding things he'd try to explain like the 20% gratuity charge that's already added to the bill. I do believe he was trying to tell us that the tip is split between him and the bar tender?? But If I do ever tip over included gratuity, it is ONLY because the service is elite. This was not the case this time.
Pablo, the manager/owner, came out and checked on us and made sure everything was okay, which we loved. It's so important to see management and have them come check in with you during your experience. He was receptive to feedback and wants to make the experience better for the customer. He talked about including more information on the menu (like stating the entree is made with corn tortillas, flour on request etc). He's really trying, so I will support this business again.
Additional info
Saturdays, tables are removed after ten and it turns Into a nightclub. Drinks available only. Bottle service /sections also available.
There is a grand opening coming up soon. Check social media for details.
Next time:
I would park somewhere cheaper
I would ask for my water with extra ice so it would be colder-- it melted quickly.
I would come on a Thursday for the specials
I would order cocktails
I would sit in the main room for the aesthetics