Upon arriving, we received a not very warm welcome which set a not nice tone for the evening. However, things quickly became a bit disappointing. When being seated, the host mentioned he saw the Resy notes indicating someone in our party was plant-based and gluten-free and asked if we’d like that menu. If it was already noted in the reservation, it would’ve made sense to have those menus ready at the table or automatically offered. Otherwise — what’s the point of specifying it ahead of time?
Our server, Mary, unfortunately wasn’t very knowledgeable about the plant-based, vegan, or gluten-free options. She seemed unsure of the menu, had to double-check multiple times, and lacked confidence in answering basic questions about ingredients and modifications. It’s frustrating as a guest when you take the time to add dietary preferences in advance specifically to avoid situations like this.
The veggie soup was far too salty and unenjoyable, though the eggplant parmesan was actually pretty good. The Saratoga still water isn’t a personal favorite and it was the only option, so I had to add several lemon wedges just to make it palatable.
The most disappointing moment was when I asked about plant-based desserts. Mary seemed confused by the request until my mom clarified by saying “vegan dessert,” which then prompted her to bring over a tray of pre-made dessert shooters to choose from. Honestly, that felt off-putting. Who knows how long those had been sitting out or how many tables they’d been to that night. It just wasn’t an appealing or thoughtful presentation, especially for a restaurant that prides itself on seasonal and fresh offerings.
The restaurant was nearly empty given it was the 4th of July, so it would’ve been an ideal opportunity for attentive service. I’m hoping this was just an off night, perhaps due to holiday staffing. I might give them another try on a regular evening to see if it was an isolated issue — but based on this visit, it definitely missed the mark.