I read the Resy review about how Golden Ratio was a "local cocktail bar for everyone," and since I live a block away and watched the construction happening, I was excited to have a new place in the neighborhood. I tried two previous times to pop in for a drink but they were packed and had no room. Finally, on a Wednesday night I went in with a friend. We had a half hour to have a quick drink before dinner nearby. There were two seats at the bar that we steered towards but were told we couldn't sit at, they were apparently reserved (no one came for those seats during the time we were there). The host said we could sit at the seats near the window, so we did. She then asked my phone number --an odd request given I was there already and just sitting down for a drink. I asked why and she explained it was so they could keep track if I had any allergies(??). I don't know why it put me off, but I found it intrusive to ask for my phone number. Nonetheless, I gave it.
We sat down and were given drink menus and proceeded to wait about ten minutes before the server came over. The drink menu was confusing, centering around a plant and a couple of spirits, but without explanation of what is actually in the cocktail and, while I know it is meant to be innovative and interesting, it felt too mysterious and prententious. It has to be explained by the server. I do commend the multiptide of non-alcoholic options. Finally the server came over to explain the menu and take our order. We waited another ten minutes. There was no one behind the bar making our drinks and finally we called our waiter over and said we had to leave, could he just cancel our order (I didn't want to rush drinking a $21 cocktail and we had to be at dinner up the block--we had been here for almost 25 minutes already). The bartender who had disappeared seemed to come from getting more spirits when the server approached him and, rather than stop him from making our drinks (which were not being made because he had to get their ingredients from elsewhere), allowed him to make them. He could have easily cancelled them. Instead the server came to us and said the drinks were already being made and would be there momentarily. At this point, we had been there for 25 minutes. We downed our drinks quickly so as not to be too late for our dinner reservation and left.
The drinks were indeed delicious, the decor and ambiance were lovely, but it doesn't feel like a "local cocktail bar for everyone." It's fussy and, again, I dare say prententious and not welcoming or "fun"--all things I, personally, look for in a local bar. Don't get me wrong, I like a good fussy cocktail in a bougie place as much as the next person, but I do hope it is accompanied by good, quick service and a welcoming atmosphere. After waiting for it to open and then waiting to be able to go because it has been so crowded, it was disappointing. While newly opened bars and restaurants are exciting and usually have a lot of success and hype in the beginning, the places that stand the test of time in neighborhood corners really do need their neighbors as patrons. We'll see how things are once the newness wears off. I hope they do better. read more
