Allendale Social — Restaurant in Allendale

Second time visiting now, and disappointed again! We were greeted as we walked in with "hot Breath" sweaty temperature atmosphere, like a hot yoga class. Asked to open a window and they have none that open! Asked to put in the air conditioning (that didn't happen for an hour and a half). The bar is right at the front door, super bright, loud with a guitar player who blocked the path for servers from dining to bar, and busy bar for one hour then everyone left by 7:30. The bartenders were understandable sweaty, frazzled and losing track of credit cards after putting them in these decorative book boxes (not sure on the theme of a book box). The drinks were expensive, fussy but yet nothing special at all. Seemed they needed another bartender for sure: two with a bar back is not enough for the whole restaurant. Service for dinner was unfortunately frazzled as well. No attention to our orders ; appetizers and dinner for some- came out at the same time or weren't placed at all. Charcuteries had hen pecking sized cheese portions served on a pedestal, lol that had it by your chin like a dog bowl. A wine was offered to "taste" for one person at our table and the pour for the tasting was a dropper size (like spit sized). It was embarrassing to watch but a good laugh for the table after (I guess) to distract us from the heat and disappointment. They had offered the taste and it seemed as though they couldn't afford to pour "too much" wine for the taste. Everything felt that way honestly. Small portions on plates, small weak pours for drinks, and seemingly not wanting to put the AC on to regulate the temperature and not offering to comp anything from dinner. The food was good, but not enough for the portion and size compared to price. Overall the feel of the night was disjointed and very disappointed with service for sure, I get they are still working things out and hopefully with the reviews and...

Great addition and happy to review.

1. Attractive new layout of the space, moving the bar to where it is and putting up glass windows between bar and dining room to keep it contiguous but yet separate was very smart.
2. Food was original and delicious. Apps: The tuna tartare is the right size and presented over an avocado layer. Eye appealing and delicious. The Gem salad also excellent but big enough for two people. Korean chicken, very tasty, but I kept on thinking General Taos chicken. It was very good but would try something else. Entrees: Excellent pork chop. It is not Berkshire, but another cut so seems a little small compared to Berkshire so some may be disappointed on that but it was delicious. The mushroom pasta was mouthwatering and perfectly cooked. Steak was good, nothing too special so doubt we will order again. An adjacent table had the lobster thermadore. I had food envy looking at it. DRINKS: This is my only "complaint". Way too expensive. Suggest reducing to something reasonable so I am not doing the calculation in my head that my 2 drinks will cost more than my entree. With $20 glass of wine, I may not have 2 of them but if it was $16-$17, I wouldn't hesitate. If you want honest feedback, really consider repricing the drinks. Dessert - had 3 for the table. All excellent. Recommend the variation on the...

I was so looking forward to a new restaurant and Allendale Social looked like a winner. The design is lovely and the bar had just the right kind of feel. Our interactions with staff were very positive. Here's the down side: they skimp, in a very obvious way. Drinks- at $18 per, one would expect it to taste like a cocktail. They LOOK pretty and well crafted but mine, which I expected in a martini glass (which every other restaurant serves that way) came in something equivalent to a port glass. My friend got theirs in a martini glass but based on first sips, we both felt like the mixers dominated the drink and no taste of the spirit, at all. And even the smoothest spirits have taste. Food- we ordered tuna tartare. Presentation was very appealing, once again. However the tuna, compared to other restaurants serving same, was negligible. The other ingredients, like the drinks, dominated. So, it's a great place to look at, run by professionals. But for the price, which is not outrageously higher than a lot of other better local restaurants, you're not getting much bang for your buck. I will wait try again later to see if my first...