We visited Bodega on Whyte this evening, hoping for a lovely date night before heading to a Fringe Festival play. As longtime Bodega diners, we came in confident in the menu and excited for the evening. Unfortunately, our experience fell far short of what we've come to expect.
To start, I ordered a bottle of wine. There were four Tempranillo options listed, so I asked our server, Tessa, for her recommendation. We agreed on one, but she brought the wrong bottle and then argued with me about it. We ended up opening it anyway...it was delicious, but the lack of care and professionalism set a disappointing tone.
Food service was uneven. Most dishes arrived as expected, but our boar cheeks were extremely delayed and, when they finally came, they were cold. This dish has always been a standout at Bodega, so it was disheartening to see it mishandled without even an apology.
What made the evening truly uncomfortable, however, was the service. Throughout the meal, Tessa repeatedly overshared about her personal life. She told us she'd rather be home napping and how she was struggling to pay rent. While I sympathize, this was an entirely inappropriate conversation to bring to guests who are simply trying to enjoy their evening.
Finally, after paying the bill, Tessa returned the POS machine, turned her back on us, and walked away without so much as a "thank you" or "good night." The abruptness and lack of basic courtesy left us shocked.
Bodega is known for its excellent food and warm, professional service. Sadly, tonight we received neither. From incorrect wine service to cold food and unprofessional interactions, the experience was unacceptable, and disappointing enough that I felt compelled to write this review. read more