On 7/12/17, I met a friend for dinner at the Roosevelt Tavern, in downtown, York, PA. I am a Pescatarian now, so I checked-out their menu online prior to agreeing to meet there for dinner. Their menu featured several items that were acceptable to my dietary requirements, providing a selection of fish, seafood, dairy, eggs, and cheese. We reserved a table on the patio since we both enjoy outdoor settings. Upon arrival at 5:30 PM on a Wednesday, the restaurant was empty, inside and outside. The hostess was kind enough to indicate to me, being the first to arrive, that the table that was reserved for us may not be the table we would ultimately want due to it being in direct sunlight at that time of the early evening. She showed me the table, all had umbrellas, and suggested that I take another table in the shade that was just as private, in fact a more aesthetically pleasing table because of the foliage growing along the privacy fence where the table was located. The hostess offered a pub menu, which I declined, and then offered the dinner menu. I also asked for the wine list indicating that we would probably order a bottle of wine. Shortly thereafter, a male server came to the table and asked if I wanted something to drink and I indicated that he could fill the two glasses with ice water until my guest arrived. My guest arrived minutes later and the male server came to the table immediately asking if we knew what we wanted. I told him we needed a few minutes to peruse the wine list. When he came back to the table, I told him that we would take a bottle of the Chateau Ste Michelle Riesling. We were not in a rush, but it took him a long time to return with the wine. Coming to the table with the wine bottle in hand, he went to another table to open the wine. He proceeded to pour the wine into both glasses with no wine formalities beforehand. It wasn't really a big deal, since the bottle was under $30.00, but I expected more from a restaurant where the average dinner entree costs $25.00+. I ordered the Seared Rare Tuna (mango-pineapple salsa, balsamic syrup) rare, as my appetizer and my guest order a cup of the Cream of Crab soup. Both appetizers were very good. For entrees, we both ordered the Grilled Scottish Salmon Filet (soy ginger butter, smoked cauliflower puree, baby bok choy). The entrees were delicious and prepared to perfection. For dessert, my guest ordered Lemon Meringue Tart and a cup of decaffeinated coffee and I ordered a Cappuccino. The entire dinner was wonderful, however, we had several servers, both male and female waiting on our table, including the hostess who continued to check on our table throughout the night. Our water glasses were not refilled without asking, often left empty throughout the meal and after the meal while we sat at the table continuing our conversation. At dessert time, the male and female servers needed to be reminded to bring-out the Lemon Meringue Tart, which they never did. Finally the hostess made her rounds again and she ultimately brought-out the dessert.
I would recommend going to the Roosevelt Tavern for dinner. They have off-street parking; having their own parking lot next to the restaurant. I would also let the server know upon your arrival that you expect your water glass to be refilled frequently. I would have given the Roosevelt Tavern a 5-star rating if it were not for the subpar service. read more