Barra Fion — Restaurant in Burlington

I hope this was just a one time experience but I felt that I needed to make a review. As someone who has celiac, it is really hard for me to eat out and I had heard great things about the food and the staff at this restaurant for accommodating for celiac people. Trust me, I know the whole spiel about there not being a guarantee about no gluten due to cross contamination but I was fine to try from the reviews I had seen on some gluten free review apps. Unfortunately, when we got there, the host (who was also the bartender) wasn't very pleased to see us, but hey, everyone has bad days. He sat us in a nearly empty restaurant other than another table so I had high hopes about the ability for my food to be made celiac safe. When we came over, he was really unfriendly and honestly I just tried to give him the benefit of the doubt until it came to our order.

As I was trying to order, I have to tell people about my allergies because celiac is severe and I have nut allergies too that... yk... can kill me. As I was trying to explain to him that I have celiac, he cut me off in the middle rolling his eyes saying the whole thing about how they can't guarantee anything. This was not only rude but also belittling. Then I asked if the fries were gluten free as in are they cooked in the same fryer as gluten containing items (since it reads GLUTEN FREE on the menu when it isn't gluten free it is gluten FRIENDLY which is not for anyone with celiac or allergies so it shouldn't say that) and he cut me off again saying it was in a fryer that had gluten items so no I couldn't do that. Again, the tone was so unwelcoming and all we wanted was to explain my situation to the waiter. I further asked about the Mexican street corn salad (again, labelled GF) and he said very passive aggressively "well does it sayyy gluten free" I said "yes" and he responded "then it is." I was shocked and also sad like I am not someone who makes reviews and I know how bad restaurants are accommodating for gluten free BUT if you can't you can't! I'm not going to complain when staff can communicate that they have too much cross contamination or they aren't safe for me to eat that is fine. What ISN"T fine it belittling a 20 year old girl for trying to explain her allergies, dismissing her and not letting her finish her sentences and trying to do the order as fast as possible so he could continue to talk to another worker at the bar and play on his phone in an AGAIN nearly empty restaurant.

I really do want to eat here, especially because I have heard good things about food and staff! However, it just totally made me disappointed and scared to return because I don't want to be made to feel like that in situations where I shouldn't be. I am just as deserving of being served and served safely as anyone else. I didn't catch his name but I really hope he doesn't treat anyone else like that because that was the worst experience I have ever had at a restaurant - my partner and I just ended up packing the food away and leaving. This is my experience and my experience alone. I am in no way saying not to eat here, I really did hear great things and still do from my loved ones, but for me as someone with celiac disease, this was...

I've been wanting to check out Barra Fion for a while now and when I saw that they do Brunch, I canceled a previous reservation to go there instead. As the Cher song goes "If I could turn back time...."

We had a reservation for 2 for 12pm. I saw 1 table of 9 and a table of 2 when we got there. 1 server and 2 kitchen staff. With a full view of everything, here were some of my observations:

In what universe does a reputable restaurant owner think that it's OK to have only 1 server (fairly new from what she said) working on a Sunday Brunch/Lunch alone. This poor girl was seating people, setting tables, cleaning tables, making drinks and serving food and answering the phone - all by herself!!

There were 2 guys working in the kitchen. They were moving SO slowly that the server was often times standing there, waiting for the food to come out. I think one of the guys was new or on loan or something and he definitely didn't have much motivation to be there.

The Food. We didn't see any food at our table for about an hour. We ordered Tortilla Española (Spanish Omelette) Skillet, Barras Eggs Benedict, a side of Tarragon Frites and Churros. *The Spanish Omelette was super bland. Saving grace was the tomato sauce and sourdough toast. *Eggs Benedict ...poached Eggs were rock solid. The only reason I didn't send them back was because I was afraid I'd have to wait half hour for a new plate. *Tarragon Frites - I noticed they fried them up and put them in a metal bowl to sit under the heat lamp. They sat there for almost 10 minutes. Then they put them back into a fryer and flash fried them to reheat them. So that means the fries soaked up the grease not once, but twice. Did they think we wouldn't notice?! GROSS! *Churros ... They were yummy.

Based on our Brunch experience there, we won't be going back for Brunch ... lunch or dinner. I'm someone who loves Brunch and I don't think I've ever been so disappointed..... and to pay $84 for that disappointment was heartbreaking. I felt really bad for the server and I tipped her accordingly because she deserved better.

Save your money and go somewhere else for a...

The food is AMAZING! Our first meal was our second visit (the first time we couldn't get in as it was packed!). Sat at the bar (only space left as we didn't have reservations for two) to have our meal (which actually ended up being a great idea as the bar tender and owner were extremely friendly and attentive - as were all of the excellently responsive and happy staff).

Atmosphere was lively and loud. There was a talented six string guitar performer playing. Everyone was enjoying themselves and we noted that there was hardly any table turn over ... that is, people came and stayed. The experience is not JUST a meal (tapas and food were out of this world good), it was a true tapas atmosphere. Eat, share, drink, talk, make new friends.

Did I mention that the food was good? Not just good, EVERYTHING was great! Not too spicy, just right. Pricing was good, especially given the quality and portions of the food. Everything cooked to order, all fresh ingredients. Empanadas made on premises. We tried a lot of things through a Fixed Price menu. Calamari was cooked to perfection! Chorizo sausage tender and perfect. I've rarely had such a perfectly prepared Latte. We left stuffed to the gills!

Staff were all looking out for us. Having the food come as/when ready meant a nice unhurried meal with lots of time for chat. We met the owner Shelley and got the story of the restaurant's inception and her travels through Spain and Europe which just added to our appreciation.

Patrons included families, children and all ages, but mainly in the 40+ range. Works as a restaurant for a lunch/dinner meal, and occasion, and a classy local bar.

This restaurant is a hidden away gem, in an unexpected location in central residential Burlington that we'll definitely be returning to. In fact I am a little worried that all their good reviews are going to make it harder to get in!! I can't say enough good things about our experience...