Roots Experience — Restaurant in Lisbon

I am really upset how the service (owners?) treated us. We wanted to order a table and no one was outside, we came in to ask for an information. The man in the kitchen asked for the waiter who said that we could sit only if we order a food - it was a clear information that if we wanted to have drinks only it’s not an option. It was weird as the restaurant’s name clearly says about tapas and drinks and not tapas only. It was the first red flag. However it was not an issue for us - we came for a dinner so we confirmed it and agreed on tapas. The waitress left and I saw that most of the tables were free and only two had info about reservations, so I sat on the free table as I was really tired and my partner confirmed to her that we wanted to order a food. Suddenly the man from the kitchen literally kicked us out because ‘we should educate ourselves and we are crazy foreigners without manners’. I was really shocked, we did nothing wrong. We came there with smiles on our faces hoping to meet nice owners and try a great dishes but we left that place in shock and disappointment. We were in many restaurants abroad, always respecting local culture and people, including places in Portugal and we always behave in a nice way and receive the same. If we really broke the specific restaurant’s ‘rules’, which some of the places may have, that was not a reason to treat us in so aggressive way and called us with such rude words. There was no information visible about any specific rules for that particular place at all so they could let us know what their expectations are instead of screaming at us. I am really disappointed and scared of this place, and the workers especially. Luckily we found a great place instead next to that bar! And I wish all the best to the owners/employees, but they should change the way of treating/talking with people, as it was toxic, scary and traumatic experience for us. That’s why I am giving 1/5 stars. Maybe food is amazing but people who work there are really rude and aggressive...

Der Laden ist super süß und die Leute sind sehr bemüht. Leider hat sich die Karte/ das Konzept geändert und es gibt nur noch Tapas die super teuer sind. Laut Kellnerin braucht man so 3-4 Tapas um satt zu werden. Ein Tapa kostet mindestens 11€! Bsp. Dumplings mit Shrimps (5 Stück) kosten 11,50€.

Habe nichts gegessen, kann also zur Qualität des Essens nichts sagen.

Translation:

The store is super cute and the people are trying very hard. Unfortunately, the menu/concept has changed and there are only tapas that are very expensive. According to the waitress you need 3-4 tapas to get full. A tapa costs at least 11€. E.g. Dumplings with shrimps (5 pieces) cost €11.50.

Didn't eat anything so can't comment on the quality of the food.

To add: unfortunately, due to this feedback - for the information of all other Google users - the owner of the restaurant approached us very unpleasantly, personally, loudly and even haptically. Despite the attempt to remain factual, the owner became very short-tempered and reacted very negatively to us as human beings. After reading further reviews, the negative behavior of the owner has already been noticed several times. the food may be good (as I said, I can't judge) but dealing like this with customers is really not okay just because of a not so...

I cant speak for the food, because I never got to try it. We booked a table for 20h30, one of us as at the door, the other on the way. We told the restaurant we were there at 20h36 - to which we got "we are very strict with times, we gave your table away". Weird (any restaurant usually would give you 10 minutes), but we were the ones at fault, so we accepted that and asked if we could wait and try to get a table... The waitress said she could not guarantee a table, but we said we could wait, which we did. Less than 10 minutes later, a table is vacant...And we are told the restaurant decided to close earlier (this was before 21h, when the restaurant's kitchen closes at 22h). Note, they had just brought food out, and there are tables who haven't even ordered. The restaurant and food looked nice, but this was really disrespectful. I guess they did not like something about us - it's a shame I did not ask for the complaint book to find out what their problem was. Go at your own risk - but for a way better experience, try the african restaurant down the street - Mambo. You won't get asian tapas, but you will get one of the best services in town, actually caring about clients and not just...