Poach Social — Restaurant in Atlanta

If I could drop a zero I would. So let's start this review. On weekend getaway with my wife to watch a EPL soccer match we wanted brunch before the match. After research we found poach and thought the atmosphere and vibes looked "intriguing" the reviews seemed ok so we dawned our soccer regalia and being it wasn't far from the hotel/stadium we thought it was a fairly safe bet. This bet turned into a bust. We quickly found that this establishment was no cash accepted. Despite it being legal U.S. tender. When we vacation, in order to keep an eye on what we spend, we bring cash. Not a total loss. We have money on credit so we can navigate through this.

The meal experience begins. The bartender as nice as they were was completely overwhelmed and the opening drinks a peach mimosa pitcher took well over an hour. At this point we were able to order food (side note we sat at the bar in this restaurant that seats maximum 45) so we ordered French toast and fried chicken and eggs Benedict. The bartender then walked how we would like the eggs cooked on the Benedict...ok...then said our food would be out soon.

Then when they asked if we wanted more drinks after our Mimosa pitcher. ( No we didn't pound them this was another hour later. And no this isn't exaggerating me and my wife are both bartenders and are aware of perception of time vs actual time angry people perceive) We said yes can we just have shots. They took only 15 which was kind of impressive in 2 different ways.

Food finally comes out. Me French toast is ice cold and the checkin tender is burning hot. The eggs Benedict hollandaise was conjealed and solid like mayonnaise. So yes it's "blendaise" a term we use for making hollandaise in a blender. That style of hollandaise does that while under a heat lamp. My clues or giveaways if you will this happened is my French toast cooked in a pan or flat top was cold all of the salmon Benedict was cold but the fried food was hot and fresh. So ALL of our food sat in a window for close to who knows how long waiting on a chicken tender. And we also randomly got 2 over easy eggs with our order we didn't ask for. At least they were cold too to stay consistent. (As a side note over easy eggs are by far my least favorite eggs on earth)

We ask our server/bartender can we just not pay for the eggs Benedict and unordered items and we will pay for all the drinks but not the eggs Benedict and over easy eggs we didn't order. He gets the owner. And they talk for I guess maybe 15 minutes and finally out bill comes they take off the eggs Benedict which was expected but proceeded to charge me 20% gratuity on the original cost of the bill.....really

So we walk to the front explain that we will be paying in cash because we were going to pay on card but again the bartender was nowhere to be found and we had to go again because we were wearing soccer gear and we had a game to make something we made clear to our bartender when we sat down through simple small talk. Not the whole we gotta game so hurry up situation. But from start to finish out brunch took over 2 and a half hours....

When we told the manager maybe owner that we had to pay cash because our Uber was there and we still weren't able to pay and that gratuity shouldn't be charged be we would go ahead and pay it because we had no time to argue. He said if we gave him some time he could take off the gratuity and grabbed my arm to stop me from leaving....first never touch someone without permission especially in a moment of disagreement. Second time was the one commodity causing all of this negative experience.

We get in the Uber leaving the money and process to asked our Uber driver where there are good places around Atlanta he gave us great suggestions in little 5 points .

This place is...

I’ll start with the good. The food came out hot and fairly quickly. It did lack a little bit of seasoning but that’s subjective. Food wise it wasn’t bad. Now the bad which is unfortunate. First once we were sat (3 ppl) no one not one waitress came to our table. We had to ask the Host/Floor Manager (older black lady) if we could get water. She asked who our server was (which we didn’t have) and she didn’t even try to take it upon herself to grab us some water or see who our waitress was supposed to be. After sitting with no acknowledgment for at LEAST 20 mins we stopped a waitress walking by (Josie) for her to help us, she went to get us water but stopped at a table after us and gave them the water 🤦🏽‍♀️. Once she got back to us, we had to put our whole order in, in fear that if we did one at a time, we’d never get to order or see a waitress again. Looking around tables that came in after us were serviced and taken care of. There is no team effort in this establishment. Josie was a great waitress very apologetic and tried her best to check on us even though we weren’t even supposed to be here table. You can tell she was doing her best. And they are very short staffed for a busy Sunday brunch (3 waitresses). The host literally sat at the front looked at tables and went to grab a waitress (who obviously aren’t great at multitasking) to clean the tables while she just stood there. She came and asked how was everything, we told her that the food was good but the service was not and all she had to say was “I’m sorry to hear that” and walked off. No further conversation or intent on seeing what could have been done differently. I asked was she the owner and was told she’s the owners mother, With an added 20% gratuity service should never be lacking, Overall the service is the reason we decided we wouldn’t be back which is unfortunate because we want to support our black establishments but baby it has to be better. $25 of tip on our check with no real server...

A Fairytale Brunch at POACh – A Story of Vibes, Flavors, and Love

Once upon a Sunday, in a city that never fails to surprise, we stepped into the enchanting world of POACh for a birthday brunch fit for queens. Every seat was filled, the air buzzing with laughter, clinking glasses, and the soft hum of celebration. It was our fourth visit—because once you’ve tasted magic, how could you not return?

From the moment we arrived, Victor, the ever-charming host from London, welcomed us with a warmth that felt like an embrace. “Fancy a delightful brunch, love?”—he didn’t say it, but I swear his energy did. The space, vibrant and intimate, transformed into a dreamscape of joy, with every detail carefully curated to make memories last.

Then there was Nikkia, our brilliant server, who navigated our table like a seasoned storyteller, ensuring every sip, every bite, and every moment felt effortless. Knowledgeable and attentive, she made us feel like royalty, guiding us through a menu where every starter was a masterpiece. The bartender? A true alchemist, crafting cocktails that sparkled like liquid jewels, blending flavors with a flourish that left us spellbound.

And the chef? A magician in the kitchen. Each dish was a love letter to the senses, bursting with taste, texture, and a touch of culinary sorcery. We feasted, we toasted, we celebrated as if time itself had slowed just for us.

As the last plate was cleared and the final sip taken, we glanced around—pictures now capturing the echoes of joy, the doors closing on yet another unforgettable brunch. POACh isn’t just a restaurant; it’s a love story, a fairytale, a place where memories are plated and served with heart.

Victor, if you’re reading this—cheers, mate! You and your team are absolutely brilliant....