I wanted to like U-MAC Tavern, especially since it has only been open for about three weeks, but this was a disappointing first visit with one notable exception.
I initially called to make a 6:30 reservation, but the call was disconnected three times while I was speaking with the manager, Rachel. On the third call, she explained that they were having phone problems. We decided to go anyway, and fortunately, they were able to seat us immediately.
The **truffle cream-filled gnocchi was excellent**--easily the highlight of the evening and genuinely something I would return to order again. Unfortunately, nearly everything else fell short.
My burger arrived only slightly warm. It was thin, dry, and underwhelming for an $18 burger. I was also charged an additional $3 simply to have the jalapeño jam served on the side, which seemed unreasonable. The fries were heavily saturated with oil and lacked crispness, while the pickle was dry and appeared to have been sitting out for some time.
My wife ordered the U-MAC salad, which the menu describes as mixed greens, but it appeared to consist primarily of spinach. The greens were somewhat wilted, and the salad itself was very dry. We asked for a small amount of feta to liven up the sad salad- something they made sure to charge $3 for. My Blue Moon was also served without an orange. That may be a relatively small detail, but at a tavern, basic drink presentation still matters.
The service was adequate and generally timely, although the staff seemed tired and overextended rather than engaged with the customers. The restaurant had been refreshed, but some of the finishing work--including uneven paint lines and writing still visible on the tables--made the space feel unfinished rather than newly renovated.
The most concerning part of the evening was the conduct of the general manager. Rachel sat at the bar, working on a computer and loudly discussing the restaurant's finances with another person. The conversation included several uses of the F-word and could clearly be heard by customers seated nearby. Conducting a loud, profanity-filled business conversation in the dining area was extremely unprofessional and not something patrons should have to listen to during dinner.
There is potential here, and the gnocchi proves that the kitchen is capable of producing something memorable. However, the food consistency, attention to detail, atmosphere, and management professionalism all need significant improvement. I may return for the gnocchi, but based on this visit, I would have difficulty recommending the restaurant overall. read more