Hawksworth Restaurant — Restaurant in Vancouver

We held a private birthday party in their York Room on the second floor for just over 30 people. It’s a beautiful room marred by horrifically inappropriate ‘art’. The room itself is elegant from a bygone era with large ugly ‘pop’ ‘art’ on three out of four walls. We asked that they be covered or removed and the request was declined. The Vancouver Club was unavailable for the date(s) that would have worked, and Hawksworth was chosen because we had heard good things about the food. We were assigned an event coordinator and chose food and beverages from a special menu that would be distributed to the guests and they would choose their own three courses. Main courses were between a chicken dish and a fish dish. Bread service and coffee service were additional and the fact that we had chosen both was noted on the order sheet. Beyond asking to have the hideous ‘art’ removed from the room, the only other request we had was that guests be greeted at the door with a glass of red or white wine upon arrival. The day before the event we went down to the hotel to go over everything personally with the event coordinator to make sure that everything was clear. She said she wouldn’t be there the day of the event, but assured us that everything would be relayed to the staff on duty and the event would be flawless. WELL…upon arrival we noted that a number of guests had arrived on time (we were about 15 minutes beyond start time) and noted that there was no one at the door offering any wine and had to go and hunt for the person in charge…who said that they were unaware of the request and that it wasn’t on the ‘order sheet’ or under ‘special instructions’. He scrambled to get it organized. Partway through the first course it was noted that no bread (artisan no less) had been provided. When mentioned we were again told that it wasn’t on the order sheet and they would have to order it from the kitchen and it would take awhile because it is served warm. It arrived midway through the second course. At the end of the evening it was noted that there was no coffee being served with the dessert course. AGAIN, when asked about it we were told that it wasn’t on the order sheet. He scrambled to get that ordered and served…after most of the guests had departed. It arrived luke warm. As far as the food went, most of the guests ordered the fish plate and were happy with their order. I had the chicken and it was served warm, and it was so rubbery I could have bounced it off the ugly art on the wall. Not impressed, particularly as it is a simple dish for any restaurant to produce. With alcohol and a 19% gratuity added to the bill, as it approached close to 5 figures…it would have been nice to have more than the bread and the coffee service comped to us. As I see the problems with their operation…there is no elevator to the second floor…it’s a steep flight of stairs through one end of the restaurant. For people with mobility issues, they are brought up in a ‘service’ elevator that is accessed through the kitchen. Not first class. AND, the ‘art’ is rented…so you get what is there, take it or leave it. AND, the food is mostly served luke warm and hodgepodge because the kitchen is on the first floor and it all has to be brought up in that service elevator to the second floor. Imagine being the poor staff running up and down. AND, obviously there is a problem with communication between the event planner and the system that gives the wait staff their instructions. Most telling about Hawksworth’s entire operation is that someone who spends almost $10,000 with them in one evening doesn’t even get a personal phone call to apologize for their complete screw up of the evening. To put a period to the entire evening, we had enjoyed a wonderful dinner and evening the night before at the Tea House Restaurant in Stanley Park. MUCH better food, much more attentive service and MUCH better parking for your dollar. If service is important to you, (not to mention hot food) avoid this place like the plague. You won’t be paying for a...

ABYSMAL service, NO ambiance, and unapologetically self-important, with a menu that attempts to be inspired and results in confusion.

Dear Fellow Diners, may I ask when was the last time YOU had occasion to request a different server at the outset of your dining experience? Perhaps that will explain this review.

The server, an apparent used car salesman, who paused at our table long enough to ask about a beverage. When asked about sparkling wine by the glass, the server rattled off choices punctuating his remakes with their being “a good deal”. Presumably, a statement on our ability to enjoy fine dining? Before that discussion could continue, the server abruptly LEFT, attended to OTHER tables, chatting, taking orders, and relaying them to the kitchen.

While we contemplated whether to leave (in hindsight, that would have been the correct decision), a French gentleman approached our table, seeing it absent of any beverage. A discussion of Cabernet ensued, and his recommendation was greatly appreciated. It was only later that we were advised this gentleman is the Sommelier, and a quite accomplished one at that.

Since this gentleman was not a server, we asked if he might help us request a different server.

A brief time passed and another individual approached our table, wanting to understand “what was the matter?” with a tone and demeanor that indicated we had failed to follow some unstated protocol (think “Soup Nazi” from Seinfeld). The events were related, we reiterated the request for a different waiter, or to simply pay for our bottled water and glass of fine. That was met with, “I don’t want that.” and orders were taken.

A “green salad” (literally, a bowl of bitter mixed greens, devoid of flavor), and a pair of burgers (which had been highly and heartily recommended by the hotel Concierge).

The original server did materialize once, and when advised we had requested a different server, his response was “Perfect” before dashing away.

Periodically, a silent individual wound their way through the maze of tables, earning the nickname “Mako Shark” for the mechanical, purposeful manner of travel. A server, an assistant? A mystery.

The burgers did arrive, served on a wooden platter, with a metal cup of french fries. The burger was average, with the promised cheddar, slices of bacon, onion ring, pickles, sliced tomato, and lettuce. An average burger and fries at the less than average price of $31 each. Presumably, there is considerable preparation in the onion ring, bacon, and other condiments.

A separate set of ketchup and mayonnaise containers were provided for each burger. Mustard was not presented. Perhaps that is available on request, IF you have an attentive server. Or one willing to communicate.

The ambiance is LOUD, blaring music, dimly lit (a flashlight helped to read the menus).

Frankly, the meal was ruined by the original server, then punctuated by the exchange that followed. That marred the entire dining experience, rather than made any attempt at recovery from it.

The simplest gesture of apology would have been immensely appreciated.

Other patrons at other tables appeared to fare much better.

This experience was relayed to a very surprised concierge, along with the suggestion that the establishment NOT be recommended.

A final tally of over $120 for two burgers, a shared “salad”, and a glass of exceptional wine, with rude, inattentive service does seem to be a bit exorbitant. Perhaps there was an offering for courteous, helpful service on the menu that was overlooked. If only.

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This will be a tough review to write. We live in Victoria and came over to Vancouver for the day/night and booked the tasting menu at Hawksworth. We arrived a couple minutes early for our reservation and were warmly greeted and our coats were taken. We had a cozy table for two at the window...a good start. Our waiter took our cocktail orders which were delivered by the lounge server and they were excellent cocktails. The Sommelier stopped by and asked if we were interested in wine and we told him that we were having the tasting menu and would like to do the wine pairings. He was very nice and said, "that's great, I'll pop by with your first pairing when I notice you're finished your cocktails". This is where the evening took a turn.

The manager, Richard, came by and informed us there had been a mix up and that unfortunately there were no tasting menus available but that they would work towards putting something together from the a la carte menu to ensure we had a great experience. I said that's very disappointing but we're open minded to look at the menu and see what they suggest. Our server stopped by and they were very nice and friendly but weren't particularly helpful in terms of suggesting items etc. So we each put together what we thought would be a decent pairing of starter and entree. I ordered the Carpacio and Tonato Sauce to start, followed by the Elk Chop. My wife ordered the Parsnip Soup as a starter and the Duck as entree.

Everyone was very apologetic in regards to the mix-up and the tasting menu not being available. The Sommelier stopped by and we told them what we had ordered and after a couple minutes he returned with some options that were of a similar price point to the tasting menu wine pairing and something that he felt would pair very well with everything we ate. He really was knowledgeable and enthusiastic and deserves a raise as he rescued the evening. Richard the manager gave his staff the green light to make our experience a good one unfortunately the back of the house let the side down on this evening.

The parsnip soup was lukewarm and under seasoned. The skin on the duck was nowhere near crispy and the accompanying Pave was COLD. My carpaccio was delicious but my elk chop, ordered rare-medium rare, was well done. Again, the staff rose to the challenge and took away my entree to get it redone. By the time my wife had finished her entree my elk was nowhere to be seen so I called for the manager again and asked him "how do you think it's going?" He was great, he clearly understood where they had fallen down and without question indicated the food would comped. It took quite a while for the replacement entree to arrive but when it did it was perfectly prepared and came with a flourish of black truffle. It was good but at the end of the day it was a red meat chop with seasonal veg and some demi. Perhaps I was still disappointed at not getting the tasting menu that we had so very much been looking forward to.

The pastry team redeemed the kitchen with a Chevre cheesecake and the Sommelier gave us a couple of small glasses of a delicious dessert wine to finish the meal.

Again this was a difficult review to assign a star rating because the food was pretty mid if I'm honest but the service from the greeting, to the manager, the server and Sommelier were all top top class. If the food had gotten as close in quality and execution to the service it would be 5+ stars.

Not sure...