I really wanted to fall in love with this place, but instead, I'm left wondering what could have been.
Here's the short version: good food, unremarkable coffee, and poor service.
Here's the more detailed version: my wife and I were in the area and wanted a local breakfast, so we gave this place a try. Even at 11 am on a Friday, the place was still packed with the breakfast crowd. We got one of the few open tables, and were quickly struck by just how loud the place was. The high ceilings turn the small restaurant into an echo chamber, and I found that I couldn't have a conversation with my wife sitting across a small table from me without raising my voice to a pitch I'd be uncomfortable with elsewhere.
Our server took her time getting to us, which was a sign of things to come. Along with menus, we were presented with a small card that warned us that on weekends the wait for a table could be up to an hour so in the future we should consider the no wait app. Good tip. The card went on to advise that when they are busy food wait times will be extensive because they make every item from scratch. While I'm appreciative that the food isn't just reheated product from the food service company, I feel like guilting me into accepting a long wait for my food just because it's made to order is in bad taste (pun not intended, but appropriate none the less.)
After a bit, our server returned to take our order. I went with a western omelette, home fries, and coffee. My wife did the vegetarian omelette, home fries, and we agreed to split a waffle. Eventually, our server returned with my coffee. Apparently, it's from a local roaster. Also, apparently, they're not very interested in you getting to drink very much of it because it's served in the smallest restaurant coffee mug I've ever been served. While larger than an espresso cup, this mug probably only held 6 oz. Now, I wouldn't make this such an issue if our server left me a hoddle of coffee, or made a point to keep the mug filled, but in the end I only earned one refill from our server. The coffee itself was rather bland, lacking the character of the the rest of the items on the menu.
Eventually, our food arrived, after my wife and I basically stared at each other for fifteen minutes because we couldn't talk to each other without shouting or repeating ourselves twice because of the noise.
The western omelette was good, albeit a little over seasoned, but the star of the plate was the home fries. Cut multi color potatoes: red, and Peruvian, sweet potatoes and peppers. Tasty indeed.
My wife liked her vegetarian omelette, and we both enjoyed the classic waffle we split. It was soft and fluffy with a slight malty note. The house syrup is served in a liquor bottle with a speed pourer. It is as thin as water, not thick like syrup, but the maple flavoring is there so I won't object to its consistency.
Our server only checked on us once, and by the time she stopped by I had already finished my coffee and had to drink my wife's water with my meal. She offered a refill, which I accepted, but by then it wasn't really necessary as I was finished eating. We then proceeded to wait at least fifteen more minutes for her to return to check in again and offer my wife a box for her leftovers and to bring the bill. Meanwhile, to our right, a young couple who had arrived about ten minutes after us was just about to leave, as they had had a different server who had their orders in, out and checked on them multiple times throughout the meal. So, perhaps the service isn't all bad.
I've honestly spent the last few days debating how many stars to attach to this review, wavering between 2 and 3. The loud atmosphere, poor service, and condescending note about extended food wait times because their food is so good really rubbed me the wrong way. That called for a two star rating, as the prices don't really mitigate that amount of aggravation. However, the food IS good. Which does deserve credit and mention, earning another star.
While I won't be back, perhaps your experience will be better if you visit when the restaurant is quieter and near empty, have a competent server, and temper your expectations about the coffee. read more