My husband and I came here for the first time today for brunch. I am assuming that someone called off work today because there was literally only the chef and one waitress working. The waitress appeared to also be the hostess and Sous chef as we saw her putting finishing touches on a plate. This kinda bothered me because she is also handling dirty dishes and I am not sure how diligent she was with handwashing as she was clearly overwhelmed. Servers must be aware of food safety and hygiene practices when handling food and tableware. We were seated and given water. The waitress came back 15-20 mins later to take our order. I wanted the Salmon belly tacos but they were sold out. I ordered the french toast dippers and crab quesadilla and communicated that we wanted both to come out first as the appetizers. My husband ordered the Shrimp and Grits. The waitress walked away to put our orders in but we hadn't been given an opportunity to tell her our drink orders yet. We tried to be patient as we recognized that she was doing the best with the difficult situation she was put in. 20-25 mins later, we caught her again and finally ordered our cocktails; which she seemed surprised herself that we had not done so already. She communicated that our food would be ready shortly. 10 minutes later, she brought out the crab quesadillas and my husband's shrimp and grits. I asked her what happened because I wanted the french toast dippers and crab quesadillas as an app to come out before his entree. She shared that the chef burned the first French toast and was remaking it now. My husband asked for an order of the Parmesan spinach dip. I am born and raised in Baltimore so you KNOW we are crab aficionados. I took one bite of the quesadilla and knew something was off. I open it and noticed that at least 3 of the 4 quesadillas had "dark grey to black" colored crabmeat. I just had crabs last night with the most juicy, white crab meat so I know that's not right. It is either bad or from a can or something. Either way, it was inedible.
My husband ate the shrimp and grits because he was so hungry but the grits were so thick like how they get when they are cold and have been sitting for a while; not nice and creamy like most restaurants. The spinach dip came with toast rounds and it was ice cold!!! Unbelievable. I sent both the crab quesadillas and spinach dip back. The French toast dippers finally came out and were delicious...at first.
Towards the end of me feasting on French toast, there were about 2 sticks left and (I am not sure if it was in the sauce or in the granola) I bite into a stick and there was an overwhelmingly offensive flavor. I am not sure if it was star anisse or what but it was nasty black licorice and lavender like taste all of a sudden; truly indescribable. This horrible flavor overpowered the entire dish. I had to drink all of my delicious guava bellini to get that disgusting flavor off my tongue. I gave the rest of the stick to my husband and he dipped in the sauce and immediately had to spit it out. He was like, yuck what is that flavor? Who knows? I am not sure if something from another dish was added in error but there is no way any chef would have added that spice/flavor to french toast intentionally.
We were so OVER it that we didn't even complain any more. We know for sure that this was our first and absolute LAST time dining here. I felt bad for the waitreas so I still tipped her 15% but was tempted to not tip at all. I am not sure if today was an extremely off day but it was a horrible experience for us. We immediately left and went to one of our usual faves: Guilford Brewing company. We ordered a whole new meal and was extremely satisfied.
Please do better as your returning and future customers deserve better. Peace...
Read moreIf you're searching for a brunch experience that feels like a warm embrace, look no further than Water for Chocolate. From the moment we stepped inside, we were greeted by the inviting atmosphere and a friendly hostess who made us feel right at home. The cozy decor and soft lighting set the perfect backdrop for what would be an unforgettable culinary journey.
We kicked off our meal with a few appetizers, starting with the nitro shrimp. These bayou-style shrimp served on a bed of creamy parmesan grits were a revelation—each bite bursting with flavor and perfectly cooked. Next, the chicken dumplings, filled with corn, red pepper, and scallions, were light and airy, enhanced by a delightful ponzu sauce that danced on our palates.
For the main event, we couldn't resist the bbq shrimp and grits. This dish was a harmonious fusion of andouille sausage and jalapeño cornbread that brought a wonderful depth of flavor, making it a standout on the menu. The jerk duck confit, served atop a sage-cornbread waffle and topped with blueberry compote, was equally impressive. The richness of the duck paired beautifully with the sweet-tart compote, showcasing Chef Guy's masterful culinary skills.
And let’s not forget the sides! The goat cheese mac was a creamy, dreamy indulgence, while the charred Brussels added a perfect crunch, their smoky flavor elevating the meal to new heights. It’s clear that each ingredient is chosen with care, and the passion Chef Guy has for his craft is palpable in every single bite.
In a lovely touch, my date personally thanked Chef Guy for the incredible meal, and it was heartwarming to see the joy light up his face at the compliment. His genuine happiness was a testament to the care and dedication he pours into his dishes.
Water for Chocolate is not just a meal; it's an experience. With an ambiance that is as comforting as a warm hug and dishes that evoke a sense of nostalgia and joy, this brunch is a must-visit. We left with full bellies and happy hearts, already planning our next visit. Don’t miss out on this...
Read moreI came to this place with some of my cohorts based off of a recommendation. It is a small establishment and I am all about supporting local businesses. It was a 20 minute wait and that was cool because I was excited to get the experience of good food and service. Well the food was good however the service needs improvement big time to the million degree. I ordered the shrimp/crab soup which comes with cornbread. Everyone at my table who ordered their food came out before mine did and when my food finally came it didn't have the cornbread. I informed the waiter who brought my food and he said he would get me the cornbread. I proceeded to eat my soup and after 5 minutes my cornbread. The waiter came back and said oh, i apologize your cornbread was given to someone here at the table that shouldn't have received it. He again said but I will get you a piece of cornbread. Well 15 min. went by and still no cornbread. I then told the waiter who took my order and she said that I would have to pay $3 for a side order of cornbread. I proceeded to say pay $3 for bread that's suppose to come with my meal and it was the mistake of you all that I didn't receive it. No thanks. I went and spoke to the manager and he got loud and disrespectful with me over some cornbread. His response to me was that he sent the food over to my table and I said correct so if my cornbread didn't come then can you discount my meal by taking off $1.50. He said that I am not going to take $9 off your bill and making a huge seen. I said that is not what I am saying. Then he says look if you don't want to pay for the meal then just leave!! then walks off. Now this is not a huge space and everyone is in earshot of all that is going on. As a customer, I felt disrespected and to have a dispute over cornbread was embarrassing. How hard was it to give someone another piece of cornbread to make up for the error. I'm just saying it's the principle of it all. I would suggest that this company invest in customer...
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