If you're like me, you've visited Iron Tail Tavern 2-3 years ago and never came back because as cute as the place was and how prime the location was, the food was... average. Well, well, well.... ENTER AN ALL NEW MENU. If you love tapas and delicious cocktails... COME BACK and try this place again. We came in during Gin O'Clock Saturday afternoon and ordered 4 different speciality gin cocktails, the Ostra a la Media Concha (Oysters on the Half Shell), Gambas Mozambique (Prawns & Rice), Medula osea Quamada (Roasted Bone Marrow) and Aceite de Oliva para Mojar (Olive Oil with Warm Baguettes). Literally EVERYTHING was amazing. Our favorite was the Roasted Bone Marrow, it was actually incredible and I could have 3 of those and still want more. Also, when it comes to service, if you have Anthony, you are luckyyyy. He was incredibly helpful, friendly, informative and chatted JUST the right amount hahaha. He did a great job with recommendations, bringing food out at the right time and checking in with us. I will absolutely be returning during patio season... which... is essentially this week guys.. it's gonna be 65 soon!! read more

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The food was great! Felt like a great alternative to Inizio with a slightly better price point. Ultimately we had a great time but something about everything was just a little off, which is why I gave it 4 stars. I feel like it has fine dining aspirations (and could totally nail it!) but just needs some small details to really reach it. Our food was great - perfectly cooked strip steak, chicken pot pie with the best buttery crust that I devoured and didn't leave feeling overly full. Crème brûlée that my husband said was one of the most flavorful custards he's ever had. Areas of improvement: the wall next to our table was all gouged up which, any other place I don't care (and it certainly didn't take away from the meal) but for a special occasion may be more noticeable. Olive tapenade was good but the baguette didn't seem fresh which is a shame being so close to so many great bakeries and the co-op. No small plates served with appetizer, no spoon with dessert, no steak knife with steak, bill wasn't accurate to order (I ordered a $37 item when I was told the pot pie was gone but they had another one left so I got what I wanted but CPP was $17 and the bill still had the more expensive item) NOW: these are such minor, minor things and I would hardly say took away from the meal meaningfully but for a Saturday night, just easy fixes to really elevate the experience. Bill was fixed quickly and all missing utensils appeared quickly, We'll be back for sure! read more

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This was our 2nd time there and I really hate to knock places but it really was just a 3. The first time too. But that was a couple years ago so i didnt want to judge on when they first opened. The bartender was wonderful. It's a very comfortable place. The small but efficient winenlist was good. And we savored a couple glasses you cant just get anywhere. We enjoyed the evening a great deal which is why it hurts to say the food just wasnt there. The green sauce was very tasty. But the whole thing was cold. The fish was wayyyyy overcooked. The whole thing lacked seasoning. Like we had to ask for salt, which is usually a last resort for us. Lastly the "risotto"--it was dry af and I wouldn't call it a risotto at all. There was clearly technique and skill--the sear on the fish was perfect. But I just want to know of anyone tasted it. I think good things could happen here which is why im giving feedback. I'd be willing to try again read more

Iron Tail Tavern - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Buffalo, New York

Tasty brunch with reasonable prices . Manager came over to socialize quite a bit . Coffee was strong and hot . Separate checks were given . All in all , a tasty meal with friends . I would be open to checking them out for dinner . read more

Iron Tail Tavern - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Buffalo, New York

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Went with a party of 2 on a Saturday. Sat on patio, wasn't very busy, walked right in and was able to get a table. Couldn't snap any food pictures as it was a phoneless dinner! Service was pretty good. Food was mediocre. The item I liked most was the Goat Cheese Torchon app. Also got the Stuffed Peppers app and that was just ok. For entrees we got the Prawns and Rice which was very bland and the prawns were pretty small (comes with 3). The Piri Piri Chicken was the other entree we got and it was just ok as well although did like the broccolini. For dessert we got churros and they were so hard and full of cinnamon and sugar - too much - so we were wiping them off as we were trying to eat them. I did have a glass of Spanish red wine which was very good. I'll note I went in the past for dessert only and it was very good, a chocolate cake (like a lava cake maybe) which I did not see on the menu this time. Might be worth a shot if you're interested in checking it out but I don't think we'll be back. read more

I did a pick up order and grabbed the Iron Tail burger and was not disappointed! It came with mozzarella, candied bacon, and arugula, along with a side of fries. It was a solid burger and you couldn't beat the price ($12) taking advantage of their "friends and family" special. I still want to go for a dine in experience to try some of their cocktails, but knowing the food offerings were delicious is always a great place to start. read more

Iron Tail Tavern - Iron Tail burger - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Buffalo, New York

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My fiancé and I had a fantastic dinner at Iron Tail on Elmwood! We sat outside and couldn't have asked for a better vibe We ordered a bunch of small plates to share: crispy potatoes (SO good), apples with Manchego (such a tasty and unique combo), prawns and rice (perfectly cooked, delicious ), and garlic zucchini (simple but packed with flavor). Every dish was thoughtful, beautifully plated, and delicious. Our server was incredibly helpful and fun, they made the whole experience even better with great energy and genuine hospitality. The drinks were also great, and the vibe overall was relaxed and welcoming. Iron Tail is definitely a gem on Elmwood. We'll be back and recommending it to our friends! read more

Iron Tail Tavern - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Buffalo, New York

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Worst meal I have had out to eat. Appetizers mediocre at best. Basically baguette with a brick of goat cheese. Entrees- My halibut was so bad I did not eat it out of uncertainty if I would get sick from it. Husband's chicken was dry without flavor served with runny watery bland mashed potatoes. Both entrees were served lukewarm / borderline cold. Family at the Table next to us as we were leaving were expressing concern of quality of food to their server. Would absolutely not recommend this place. I Will say bartender who greeted us was very friendly and The server was very kind despite having to both serve and bus tables. read more

I only came for a drink at the bar but I enjoyed my time and the drinks. The bartender was very friendly. I noticed some cool decorations around and will look to come back for dinner. read more

I cannot recommend this restaurant more - Anthony was our server and captain, giving charming insight into the menu and leading us through a fantastic Spanish meal. Chef Andy is an artist. Each dish was beautifully presented and full of flavor. You could taste the pride he has in his cuisine. We'll be back. Regularly. read more

Came here for dinner this most recent visit. My boyfriend and I sat at the bar as we were early and wanted to watch a football game. The bartender was nice and attentive for the most part. We did share a bottle of wine and a dozen oysters, and both were perfect. We eventually sat down and had dinner. I think our server may have been the only one or one of two for the whole restaurant, which wasn't too busy at first. He was ok with attentiveness, but I also think it was because of the playoff game on TV and getting distracted by others that we did have to wait for some things longer than normal. I chose the short rib and my boyfriend the sirloin. The short rib was tasty, but too salty, but my boyfriends sirloin was delicious. We did end up getting desserts too which were the perfect ending to the evening. read more

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I think I'm going to really enjoy this place, today I came for lunch. But I will be back to try their dinner menu. I always found a restaurant, that has a nice crisp clean sophisticated look appealing to me. Iron Tail Tavern did everything right in the decor department. Upon entering you have the bar to your left, and then there's a few high top tables to your right. Then you have upstairs dining area. I like this area, because there's a lot of room up here. Plus the view overlooking the bar is really nice. Fries- love fresh cut fries (enough for two) Street-a-pita- This sandwich is true to its name. You get the feeling your in the slums of NYC, and your eating a sandwich from a shabby looking cart vendor. Nice chunks of chop up chicken, mixed with the flavors of sweet corn relish, and fontina cheese. Only complaint I have is, there was a few pieces of grizzle in the meat. House salad- was very fresh and would've been phenomenal. If the salad had more flavor from the dressing, and the candied walnuts. The salad was just bland but has so much potential. Manhattan- Nice strong drink. They don't water down their drinks and that's a good thing. read more

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I always seem to walk by this place, but never had any interest to actually go here until pretty recently. It's a very mellow atmosphere for such a small place. I came here late afternoon for dinner and I had no issues getting a seat whatsoever. I decided to actually try their Burguesa Española which is a Spanish variation of a hamburger. It actually tasted very good. I felt like I had a good amount just for a small portion and it was very smart to actually do Barata cheese and a tomato sauce on the burger. I'll have to try more of their menu next and it shouldn't be terribly difficult for me to figure out what would be best options due to their small menu size. I can definitely tell you if this is the first Spanish restaurant in Elmwood Village, then I can't wait to see what else they have in store for that type of cuisine. read more

Iron Tail Tavern - Burguesa Española - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Buffalo, New York

We had a great dinner here! They were unfortunately out of short ribs (so we have to come back of course) so we got a few other dishes and apps instead. The service was great and the place is super nice! One thing to note is the servings were really big. The crispy potato app and beef Wellington app really filled us up. We definitely aren't complaining about big portions, but it was so much that I barely had room for my pasta! We had amazing leftovers which is great. read more

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We showed up an hour before our reservation yet they sat us although they were actually closed for the next hour. Anthony seems to appear in a lot of these reviews and he was awesome, making great Tapas & drink recommendations. Four of us ordered 4 different dinners and each was excellent. Amazing place! read more

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Really cool and chic atmosphere. Our server was amazing. Calamari was fresh and not greasy. Squash and beef tips were good - my only constructive criticism are that the squash came with jasmine rice which cheapened it a bit, and the restaurant had a couple of different wines on their menu that we tried to order and they were out of. read more

Iron Tail Tavern - Chocolate torte - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Buffalo, New York

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This was definitely not my first time here and it will not be my last. Absolutely love this place. They have a seasonal menu that changes the game. Every pasta dish I've had has been mind blowing. The bolognese was no exception. I had dreams about it. I want to eat it every day. The whipped ricotta base was perfection. Made friends with the bartender Hannah. She was so nice and had great recommendations for drinks and dishes alike. Super personable and was able to put the hockey game on. Highly recommend coming here for a casual dinner at the bar or a nicer dinner in the dining room where it's a little more quiet and intimate. read more

Iron Tail Tavern - Bolognese Pasta - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Buffalo, New York

We came here for an early dinner and no one else was here, though we drove by later and it seemed to be busy. We were greeted by staff and seated upstairs at a nice table with a view of the bar and Elmwood Ave which was nice. Ordered some cocktails and enjoyed those and some Butternut Squash Bisque which was delicious and so thick! I tried to order something with greens, but they said the greens weren't ready yet, so I opted for my second choice, the salmon with lentils and asparagus and it was delicious! My partner ordered a burger and fries which was also great. Service was good. Bathrooms were nice. Highly recommend this hidden gem. read more

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This place is AMAZING, and the quality of the food is stellar for how little you're actually paying. What I mean is, your taste buds will leave here happy, and your wallet will, too! The drink selection was great; I ordered a cocktail (the Coconut Runner) and it was delicious. We started with the burschetta, which tasted so fresh, and then ordered the halibut and short ribs. The halibut was FANTASTIC; served with asparagus and soft lemon rice. The short ribs (not pictured because my boyfriend devoured it) fell apart wirh just a fork and tasted so so good with the sauce and parsnip puree. The staff here are lovely; they accommodated nearby guests with dietary needs and physical restrictions with ease, and were very polite. Great place; can't wait to go back! read more

Very rarely am I surprised by food. To me you know what you're getting and you have the expectation that it will taste like other meals you've had prepared. I was extremely pleased. I am not that person who leaves comments or Facebook posts because it doesn't matter to me, but this does. Chef Andy prepared an amazing meal, the blending of ingredients created tastes that made this meal something I won't forget. Anthony was our server and he too was outstanding. I am rarely impressed, but the meals they prepared were outstanding. My wife ordered the Black Cod and I ordered the Pork Porterhouse. We were looking to grab something this Easter afternoon and we found an excellent restaurant. I am not paid to do this, nor am I am friend or family member giving a positive review. We were just pleased, thank you again Anthony and Chef Andy, your service was amazing and it was greatly appreciated. read more

Iron tail has the best bites, drinks and more importantly impeccable service. Kim authentically takes care of patrons as though they were her personal friends and goes above and beyond without being over bearing (and makes the best martini.)Because of Kim I have found myself visiting iron tail every week and will continue to do so. read more

If the rest of 2023 is anything like my first dining experience of the new year, I'm in for a real treat. A friend of mine wanted to meet here for dinner and I was game -- I'm a huge fan of any restaurant that utilizes seasonal, local ingredients, and that's exactly what Iron Tail seeks to do. The restaurant is stunning. Two floors with massive windows meaning ample sunlight and views of the Elmwood strip. Our waiter was top-notch, too. Their winter menu hosted lots of great options -- a range of meats, vegetables, and sauces that match the season perfectly. I o My dinner was absolutely delicious. I opted for the seasonal chicken offering: pan-seared thighs with an apple cider vinegar glaze, and a side of crispy kale and potatoes. All-around, the dish had lots of great flavors that complemented each other beautifully. My friend got the seasonal pasta special and loved it just as much as I loved mine. I will definitely be back to Iron Tail -- I think it's the perfect spot for a celebration or to take out of town guests. I can't wait to see what other great dishes they offer as the seasons change! read more

Iron Tail Tavern - Pan-seared chicken thighs over crispy kale and potatoes - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Buffalo, New York

nice quiet place in the afternoon. knowledgeable bartender was helpful with ordering. Started off with a Fox Run rose from the Finger Lakes, the best rose I have ever had crisp and light. Butternut squash soup was delicious with a lot of cinnamon spice. .The bowl is good looking just be careful not to leave your spoon it will slip into the soup. Very good flavors but spicy. Entree was a pork porterhouse served with brown sugar sweet potatoes dressed arugula nice thick chop of pork cooked well. Pinot noir Monterey County Sonoma California was very good, soft, and warm inviting. Dessert was an apple raisin crisp with caramel sauce. Sweet and crunchy oatmeal goodness finished the meal well. All in all a good experience I intend to return to try other entrees specifically the shashuka. read more

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The staff confirmed that they knew days in advance they'd be closing early for the superbowl, but cancelled my reservation 24 hours before our event. Great food, pathetic management. read more

Iron Tail Tavern - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Buffalo, New York

First of all can I just say how clean and beautiful this place is. The food was good. I will definitely come back for dinner. The service was also great and on point. read more

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My husband and I live in the neighborhood, and were curious to try the new food menu at Iron Tail. We've been regular customers since it opened, and we like the food and the vibe. We were on time for our 6:15 reservation, and were greeted by a friendly waiter who admitted right away that he was in his second week of working there. The menu has a lot of options, including tapas, side dishes (not sure how they differ from the tapas), salads, and larger dishes. Our server didn't know if the prawns were served head on, but he guessed they weren't (they are), and his description of the menu was kind of useless. He brought our drinks, and when he dropped them off, he said he was going to attend to a few new tables . There were probably 5-6 tables of 2-4 people besides us, so we figured he'd be right back. While we waited, another couple was seated next to us, and they promptly received both drinks and apps. 45 minutes after we arrived, we'd failed to catch the server's eye (he was amazingly evasive), so I flagged the busser and told him we hadn't ordered yet. He was very apologetic, offered to comp our first round of drinks, and hustled off to find our server. Our waiter came back, took our drink and food order, and disappeared again. At about 7:15, he stopped to talk to the table next to us, and I caught him long enough to remind him that we had another round of drinks coming. He left that table without taking their order. Eventually, when he brought our second round of drinks, he admitted he'd put the order in 15 minutes before, and offered to comp that round as well. Shortly after that, our food arrived, which leads me to believe that it wasn't the kitchen that was backed up. I overheard the couple next to us having the same conversation we had - should we leave or stay? - and they decided to leave without ordering dinner. We all had to wait ages for our bills. The waiter never apologized, rather, he asked us for grace and patience (which we gave him in abundance), but the poor service ruined an otherwise good meal. read more

So I have been here twice before but our experience was fabulous last night! The environment is just beautiful and there is a new porch addition out front to enjoy the beautiful weather and people watching on Elmwood. This is a great spot for just a cocktail or dinner and drinks. I had a glass of wine with the house made fettuccine pasta. First off, the house made pasta was delicious but the sauce was incredible. It was cheesy with hints of sage and packed with lots of vegetable. My boyfriend had the Mexican mule with his burger which was very flavorful. I had a conversation with the chef who creates the menu with as much locally sourced products as possible which I think is a very special touch. We will be coming back for drinks and/or dinner again! read more

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3 1/2 stars Food is farm to table. I was hoping it would be like a Prescott Previsions but in the end it was kinda disappointing. I saw some of the other home made pasta dishes coming out they looked good, I just wasn't impressed with what I had. read more

I accidentally came upon this establishment while shopping down the street. I am happy to say I was well pleased with the ambiance, food, and service. Initially, we were planning to do take-out but I convinced my wife to dine in. The restaurant is very nice on the inside but we decided to dine on the outside. Our server, Alberto was excellent and went above and beyond. I ordered the turkey cheddar sage sandwich and my wife ordered the caprese chicken sandwich. When our order came out we noticed that there was cheese on her sandwich and she had asked for no cheese. Alberto stepped and ensured that a new sandwich was made and comped us a delicious plate of french fries. When they brought her dish out she devoured it and expressed how much she enjoyed the sandwich, The turkey Sandwich was absolutely delicious. I was somewhat nervous because I usually don't enjoy turkey from restaurants but I was pleasantly surprised. It was very tasty and seasoned. We immediately let Alberto know that we will be back soon. To top it all off the prices are very reasonable for the cuisine that is served. I love good food and service and I found it at Iron Tail Tavern. read more

Finally, I am excited to have a spot that offers regularly delivered farm-to-table seasonal options. Iron Tail delivers just that! An extensive and wide menu which offers a weekly house made pasta dish (vegetarian or with a protein), fresh oysters from across the country, and tons of vegan options. The menu is never stale as it changes day to day, due to the availability of ingredients. The plating technique is superb and the flavors intoxicating. Iron Tail offers an extensive list of wines and bottled beers- hoping to add draft options. In the mood for a stiff cocktail, their 'Back to the Classics' delivers an array of Cocktails that range in flavor and depth. Perfect addition to the Elmwood Village! read more

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So, what drew me here was the Facebook advertisement offering 1/2 off oysters, hence $1.50 apiece(on Mondays). Who being an oyster lover could resist? I went in and enjoyed a lovely margarita and then ordered a dozen oysters. Out came my oysters laid upon a bed of chipped ice, lovely lain and displayed. The wedges of lemon and the seafood fork at the ready. All was there to delve into what we oyster lovers quench, that soft but meaty pearl of oyster. But, alas, it was not there! There was not the soft meat of the oyster to pierce but just a stringy mass of what may have been an oyster or could have been an oyster. Never anywhere have I been served such a masquerade of oysters. read more

Very friendly staff. The brunch menu has some good options. the staff is very accommodating. They go out of their way to make sure you're ok. Very clean dining room too which is nice. The food was pretty good too but I only ordered a salad. Everyone else I was with liked their food and it all looked really good. read more

I left this restaurant nauseous. I brought my wife and a guest from out of town to Iron Tail to enjoy good cocktails and good food. We were really excited because of the reviews, "everything is amazing," and "you can't go wrong" etc. The space was clean and made me look forward to an excellent meal. For context, we went on Sunday around five p.m. on December 29. My experience may just because it was an off time. But even if you catch a restaurant with its foot off the gas it shouldn't have been this bad. I ordered a coquito. I love coquitos. They are a light, coconut eggnog like holiday drink that, in my opinion, tastes better than eggnog. Mine was sour and rancid, and I nearly vomited all over my table. The waitress immediately brought me an acceptable aviation cocktail as a replacement. We ordered three apps, the chorizo patty melt, the calamari, and the bone marrow and beef tartare. The calamari was decent. The chorizo was tasty, but confused, because it came with a dipping sauce, but the bread was covered in a sticky honey sauce which made you not want to pick it up and dip it. The beef marrow and tartare was amazing. If it wasn't for this dish then I would have given zero stars if possible. My wife and I shared the pappardelle pasta with beef and pork bolognese sauce. My friend had the peri peri chicken. At this point in the meal it became very apparent that quality control is a problem at this restaurant. The pasta was overcooked and unsalted. The sauce was rich but also had no salt. Adding salt after the fact did not save this dish. My friend's chicken also wasn't seasoned well. The chicken was bland and the sauce it came with didn't save it. My wife and my friend only cleaned their plates because they were extremely hungry. He gave a 3/5 rating. I didn't get more than a few bites into my pasta before I gave up. I still wasn't feeling well after my rotten coconut cream cocktail ,and bad pasta didn't help. My wife probably gave the most damming rating of all. She turned down my serving of pasta and said she was going to make instant ramen when we got home. The service was a bit lacking, water wasn't refilled as often as it should (especially after I drank everyone's water to wash my mouth out). I was also disappointed, by not surprised, to see that my replacement cocktail hadn't been comped by the restaurant. On top of all this over half of the entrees were not available. I still can't believe I was given an old rancid cocktail probably because the restaurant didn't want to throw out a cocktail made around Christmas Day. Also, how can you charge these prices for food that I make superior versions of at home in my sleep. Why can't they salt pasta water? Why can't they brine/ marinate chicken? Even the app that I loved had under seasoned tartare on it. It was just because the marrow was so good that it didn't matter. I will not be returning. read more

The food here is fantastic and I've recommended it to everyone who wants to eat out on Elmwood. Bright lit up bar overlooking the village has become my favorite places to hang out. I brought my dog since I can to the bar and saw there's an organic dog menu. Of course my pup loves it!! So glad there's a place like this in my neighborhood. read more

Server was great, place was cute, food lacked flavor and plates seemed bulked up with old arugula. Heard good things, left with no plans to return read more

Every meal has been great! Creative cocktails too. Nice outdoor patio. A nice gem Elmwood opposite the Lexington Co-op. read more

Such a great location and way more seating than the exterior suggests! The menu is always changing based on what food is fresh and in season. The charcuterie board is an awesome choice to split with a friend or two over some drinks. The oysters and summer pasta dish I had were delicious and you could taste the quality of the food. Love that every time you go will be a new experience due to the ever-changing menu. Can't wait to go back! read more

I visited Iron Trail for the first time and had a positive experience. As a vegetarian, I was very pleased with the array of options offered. I decided on the fried cauliflower entree and it did not disappoint! I was very impressed by the flavor on the cauliflower itself as well as polenta puree and greens. My friends enjoyed their salmon and butternut squash entrees. As far as the crispy potatoes, there was nothing wrong but I thought they could have used a more flavorful sauce. I got the lemon bar for dessert and it was good quality. All dishes were generous portions. Also, I liked that the dining area was up and away from the bar but that you could still see through. I look forward to returning and trying more items. read more

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The food was delicious, lots of gluten free options and the staff was very knowledgeable about celiac and allergies. We got the vegetarian option, which was roast zucchini and quinoa, and the chicken. Both were delicious. The server was great too. We will definitely go back again. read more

I will keep this short and sweet. Went to Iron Tail with a group of 3. They were not busy (this was a Monday night) but slightly understaffed from what it seemed. 2 servers and a bartender. First round of drinks came out fairly quickly. Oysters also came out pretty quick and we're actually pretty good. From ordering drinks to finishing the Oyster was about 30 mins. That's where things go downhill. We were never told about any of the specials of the day and didn't know there were any until we heard the other waiter telling a table across the room. The next 75 minutes were spent waiting on drinks that's never showed up and receiving 3 meals that were basically inedible. The pasta dish was sent back by 3 ladies at a table next to us and we could see why. The pasta was disgustingly soggy, was super bland and tasted like bath water. Even the waiter said "it looks gross - I don't blame you for not eating it". The burgers (can't screw that up right?) tasted like frozen pattys. I had a few bites and that was it and I'm not a picky eater. Overall, extremely slow, incompetent service and utterly terrible food. The inside is nice aesthetically but feels way more overdone and high society than it should. Do yourself a favor and go somewhere else. Hopefully this place closes soon and we get an actual restaurant who can serve edible food in this space. read more