Heathers Savory Pies and Tapas Bar — Restaurant in Basalt

I don't like writing negative reviews without a lot of justification. But I can't bring myself to write a better one, despite my love of supporting local businesses. It takes A LOT to get a one star. If the service hadn't been so dismal, I'd have given it a 3, maybe 4.

The location is quaint and enjoyable, especially in warm weather. Our server was a welcoming young lady, friendly and attentive. That is where the positive ended. A man from the table next to us took a break from imbibing his spirits with his friends to ask us how everything was, I figured he was the owner/manager/server/random guest? (I have no clue because he never told us). We said fine, which at that point, it was.

I ordered the lamb. I have had it MANY times. I ALWAYS make it clear that I like my lamb very rare. I literally said, "I want it baa-ing when it comes" as that is my go-to line so the server knows to make a note. I saw her do so. I try my lamb, seems a bit over done so I take another bite to be sure. Yep, overcooked for MY taste. It was about a rare plus. At that point, the man again asked us how the food was (older man with white hair if that helps pin point him). I paused because I wasn't sure if it was worth mentioning and hadn't planned on saying anything at all. It wasn't as if it was a cataclysmic mistake. My husband mentioned that I thought it was a tad overcooked. Before I could tell the man that it was fine and didn't need to send it back, as I hate doing unless it is an egregious offense because I hate wasting food, he snatched the plate from me. I NEVER asked him to do so (neither did my husband for the record even though he shouldn't have spoken for me at all).

After taking my plate, (he thought he was being helpful??) he brings it back and I get the condescending mansplaining, "In the lighting it may look a bit overcooked but it looked rare to me. But you fed our kitchen staff." UH excuse me? First, I've seen lamb in low light and have literally had that shown to me before so I know good and well the concept of food in low lighting and that it can make meat appear overcooked. Thanks for assuming I eat with my eyes, not my mouth and that I didn't already know that fact. I know overcooked when I taste it. 1) I didn't ask you to take my meal, nor did I plan to had you given me the chance to say so. 2) A POLITE suggestion of "low lighting will do that" before you took my plate would've worked and I'd have told you I already know that and that I was fine keeping it the way it was. That would've been exponentially more professional. 3) WHY are you telling me "the food is feeding the kitchen staff and didn't go to waste?" I know condescending when I hear it and for the life of me can't understand why that gem of knowledge is necessary to tell a customer. If you're going to take food back without anyone asking, the least you can do is not be rude about it when you bring it back.

It would've been an OK dinner otherwise and this situation is etched in my mind clearly, so I know this is not an exaggeration and took some time to think it over before giving the 1 star review. The food was nothing special but nothing to give a one star review. Even though the lamb was over seasoned, the veggies were under seasoned and my husband didn't enjoy his food much either, but it was acceptable for a small town. Our server did comp the dessert (which we also did NOT request nor assume it would be so we weren't fishing for freebies). The dessert wasn't bad.

I realize there is probably a big fish little pond complex happening, but there are still enough options in the area that this will not be one of mine in the future. The next time you think you're displaying good customer service, let the customer speak for themselves and don't be so rude, especially when it looks like you weren't even working at the time and enjoying a night off sharing wine with your friends as one is entitled to do and should! All I can hope for is IF someone sends something back in the future, you're more professional. I know rude...

Winter 2020 Was it my date or was it the Ginger Martini that made the evening so dreamy...or was it the colossal Chocolate Cream Pie we ate somewhere between midnight and 8AM? (I even put a dollop of whipped cream topping in my coffee in the morning...) I hadn't been back to Heather's since I first moved to the Valley, mostly because I became pigeon-holed in the vortex of Aspen with work, but my memory of the chicken pot pies and wine that enigmatic distant lover and I shared at the bar only enhanced the tragically romantic unrequited moment.... The lighting and music at Heather's creates a bohemian romantic ambiance, so even were you to dine alone, beware of the playful vibe that can be bestowed upon you if you're a single diner....you won't be alone for long! Rene, the host with the most! (and the owner) He's a silver fox (actually, he has a magnificent mop of coiffed snow-white hair with Buddy Holly or Andy Warhol or Jarvis Cocker-like thick dark rimmed glasses;) with the cunning charm of a polite imp. This is Colorado "Cheers," with a Free People meets LA meets Austin meets Nashville/New Orleans incognito cosmopolitan clientele. If you're a repeat guest of Heather's, you will see many of the same people even if you only show up sporadically.....and then you'll see tables and a bar full of newcomers, and part-time residents, or just visitors to the Valley who come back year after year. It's a gumbo of personalities and a hearty Rocky Mountain chili of social heat. Nora, the bartender, is a fine mixologist, with her "girl on a swing" braids and svelte figure and brilliant smile...even though I hadn't been there in nearly 10 months, she and Rene welcomed me as though I were extended family. I've discussed for years with a friend, that the key to a successful dining/music establishment is lighting and music; and are the two main ingredients.....and that the rest would follow.....Heather's OWNS just that....plus a very gracious, attractive and attentive, warm staff with menu and drink knowledge and FANTASTIC food! We started by sharing the special bacon wrapped shrimp, (the bacon crispy, the shrimp snappy,) then shared a butternut squash, pine nut and sage homemade ravioli appetizer that was like eating flying clouds finished with (if I recall,) an orange butter or was that massage oil for pasta? Whatever it was, it was truly pornographic to the palate in flavor and texture... YES! We shared a nut encrusted trout filet with rice pilaf and braised kale (forgive me, chef, if i'm not recalling this quite right,) as our glasses were kept full and the conversation surged with the soulful and livingroom-like timber of the Chris Bank and Mark Johnson duo....who, by the way, are AWESOME! Love their repertoire of 60's-70's soul, blues, folk, disco, funk...but at a dining room appropriate volume and rhythm....it inspires intense, but playful conversation, kissing, hand holding, dancing, talking to a stranger, licking the last bit of sauce off of your plate off of your finger, (or someone else's,) and not hesitating to stay longer and order dessert....even if you don't have a sweet tooth.....because now you've truly found the "sweet spot" of the Valley....at Heather's.... People danced, people swooned....there were birthday celebrations, coy eye exchanges, a red carpet of fashion displayed as artfully as the pastry display case (with cookies and cakes and pies and everything naughty and nice;) from cowboy boots and buckles to tight pants and long hair, hemp do-rags and dangling earrings; a stolen glimpse of a Prada bag and cowboy hands laden with skull and turquoise rings......St. Croix hook bracelets, Navaho rings, Fleur-de-lis earrings and faux fur foot wear....leggings, jeggings, and everything else tight, fluffy, frivolous, fun and FUNKY! It all starts with the passion and enthusiasm of the owners, though. Passion is infectious and clearly, Heather's, is a love affair being served to us on plates and in glasses..... I'll...

Tonight, January 22. I had the worst experience that I’ve had in a long time at a restaurant. We had a server that took over 10 minutes just to get to our table not a problem . We asked him what the specials were and he did not know, but he did go check out and see what they were and took our order not a problem and we never saw him again until The busser Send him over.. We had empty wine glasses. We wanted more wine. He brought us the wine then before we were done with our wine he brought us the bill. I looked at the bill as I often do to make sure everything‘s correct and I saw that everything that we ordered and then it said credit card fee and then it had a total. I was paying with cash. So I walked up and said I’m paying with cash. What is this fee on here for ? Itwas explained by the bartender if I looked further down, they had one amount for cash and one amount for credit however, the bill is extremely confusing and your POS system needs to be fixed. The bill should read exactly what the bill is and then down below that there should be a credit card fee with the total if you pay credit. I hope that makes sense. Then the bartender walks around and says I can help you add everything up . I told her I could add it up myself and that I needed to go sit down because I cannot stand for very long. She decided that she needed to come over again and say can I help you add up the total again I said no I’ve already added it up. Please don’t talk down to me I said, and by the way, this is the worst service I’ve ever had here., I’ve been coming to Heather‘s for 12 years. Then she said don’t talk down to me! Because I trained your server that is Renee‘s son. I don’t care who he is. He is not trained well enough to serve people he needs more training. She needs boundaries. I have already Told her I could add the bill myself. I do want to say that our waiter, Lauren said that he knew he didn’t give us good service and then he apologized. The food isn’t that good that I need to go back and be treated like that by Bartender and get such poor service from the waiter. I think Servers need to be trained better before they’re put out on the floor. Our food runner/Buser should be a server. She was very attentive. Thank you...