TAKE IN — Restaurant in Ghent

We came here for a group lunch. We called 15minutes before arrival to reserve for eight people, the staff on the phone seemed friendly and happy to accommodate. Upon arrival we were seated at a bunch of tables grouped together for 12 people - which felt like a briefing gone wrong, which was an omen for what was to come.

During our whole experience, the staff seemed to run around like headless chickens: We had four different people serving us, at one time coming back to doublecheck if they had the order right (they didn't), then removing all but one wine glass from the table when not a single person had ordered wine, then serving our drinks 1 or 2 glass at a time, running back and forth between bar and table (inefficient - why not use a plateau?), forgetting who had ordered which drink (when only three of us made a special drink order, bringing a wrong food order (which was luckily corrected quite quickly), having another person having to wait longer on their food order to arrive than the others...

On the upside: The food was really tasty (we had pizza and both the dough and condiments were top) and I found the prices reasonable for this day and age. Furthermore the atmosphere is really nice (more upscale restaurant vibes than a breakfast/lunch spot, in my opinion) and I will definitely give this place another try in the future.

HOWEVER, the waiting staff really needs to get proper training and someone in charge to help things run more smoothly. Now it seemed like hotel reception staff playing waiter for a day... very friendly and well intentioned, but lacking proper training and experience. It unfortunately took away from the beautiful setting...

Yesterday we made a reservation for 6:30 pm 45 min prior to our arrival – 4 persons and 1 baby. When arriving at the restaurant the reception of the hotel told me to ask at the restaurant directly. I needed to wait 10 minutes at the bar before somebody was able to talk to me about my reservation or place us on a table. In these 10 minutes of waiting there was total chaos on their side. One waitress was returning three times with the same drinks because she didn’t know which table ordered it. It was obvious that everybody was overstrained. After 10 minutes waiting at the bar finally somebody was able to check our reservation. The waitress told us that she put all tables already and has no space for us anymore. We can wait inside but anyways the kitchen is fully booked with orders and it will take a long time. We said that we had an online reservation done and she saw it finally in the system. She repeated that she has no free space for us anymore. The contact was unfriendly and incomprehensible – very disappoint especially when you travel with a Baby. We decided to move on because we felt that we are not welcome at all. The online booking systems seems not to be fitting to what they are doing in the restaurant and service was unfriendly. Prior to the online reservation nobody was picking up the phone when I called. I suggest everybody to...

Eat In. Meet In. Work In. That's their motto. --- For me, "Take In" is a WELCOME addition to this side of the city (Dampoort). Dampoort is generally a bit rundown, and thus, having a modern, clean, safe, cozy place for an apero, a coffee, to meet, to work, to dine, and to house guests is so, so, so HELPFUL!

We've been coming here since it opened, and it's generally good. 👏

The staff are helpful. The kitchen, led by a Sicilian chef, is also generally good: gnocchi, pasta, antipasti, plus a splash of naughty, with salmon burgers and Belgian beef burgers.

HOWEVER, I have saved "Take In" in my phone under "small bites, and tapas," which I feel is where they also shine! Try their bitterballen, Belgian shrimp croquettes, fries with truffle mayo, and they are super flexible (no need for reservations; but I'd recommend it). Also, you can order pizzas during your apero... and you'll see it freshly made in the large wood fire oven in the corner.

The team has definitely fulfilled its mission to give us a beautiful, relaxed meeting hub, with convenience, co-working space, community events, and service at an affordable price! Well...