Greenleaf Kitchen & Cocktails — Restaurant in Costa Mesa

We walked in to try something new instead of our usual go to lunch spot. The person (I’m assuming the manager, by the way they were talking and acting) greeted us by saying: “We close in 15 minutes everything’s gotta be to-go!” Which was fine- we didn’t know they were closing soon and would’ve been good walking away. We even said: “Oh if the kitchen’s closed, we’re okay.” To which they responded: “No it’s alright, it just has to be to-go, we’ll pack everything up for you.”

So we ordered, I got the salmon plate, my partner got a burrito. I asked if I could switch out the cauliflower rice for a different side; they said yes. I proceeded to say: “Okay, yeah I’ll get the broccolini-“ to which they cut me off saying; “It already comes with that.” I laughed and reiterated that it was the cauliflower I wanted swapped. I got a salad, thinking cold ingredients would be easier. I wasn’t asked if I wanted dressing or told if it came with it. I asked for some slices of lemon with the salmon and was told; “It doesn’t come with it, but we can put it in for you.”

While we were waiting, the manager was talking down to an employee who was mopping, saying things like: “See isn’t it better when you use the right solution.” “That’s why you gotta read the bottle. Very important.” And the way they were talking to the employee was… condescending.

Our food took 12 minutes to be ready. When I got the bag, there were no utensils or napkins, I had to ask. The manager was visibly annoyed. I also asked for some ranch for the salad. Again, upset. They audibly went “Ugh. I don’t know if we still have any I have to check. Just so you know it comes with a lemon vinaigrette.” I said: “I didn’t know it came with anything.”

After all that, we sit outside to try and shake off that experience and enjoy our food. My partner’s burrito was cold- how does that even happen? And my salmon was burnt and dry, the broccolini was cold and the salmon was placed on top of my salad so the leaves were all wilted. My partner summed up the food as: “It’s like airline food. It isn’t bad, but it isn’t good.” We went to The Cheese Shop to eat instead.

If a store is closing, that’s all good. Just say it and we won’t eat there. But don’t say it’s okay and then proceed to give sup-par food and grouchy, passive aggressive service. If all that wasn’t bad enough, the way they spoke to the employees was appalling.

We might’ve been willing to give this place another try but the (lack of) service...

Although the food is great, customer service is horrible. I am a frequent customer and have had several conversations with management requesting hot food not be placed with cold food in to go bags. After traveling far to pickup food, once again, (6th time) the cold and hot was in the same bag. I mentioned it to Oscar, a shift manager??, and he got an attitude and started separating the items with a huffy attitude. I felt the top of my salads and they were very hot. I mentioned it and he said they were cold as I had my hand on it and feeling the heat. I mentioned that I have had several conversations about this and he said with an attitude "What do you want me to do? I told him I want my food separated. He said he couldn't monitor every bag. There was nobody in the restaurant and I had the only bag to go. He cut me off when talking, didn't want to listen to me and was quite rude. If I order food again, I will only do so if Oscar isn't working!!! The food is expensive and I at least want it to be the appropriate...

I used to love this place and would come here several times a month. However, after my last visit shortly before Thanksgiving, in which I got severe food poisoning, I will never risk eating here again. I noticed the salad I usually get had some older ingredients (some of the lettuce in the salad and avocado both looked rough, very brown), but I figured I was being fussy so I just ate around the really wilted brown lettuce. A few hours after eating I got the worst food poisoning of my life, which has evolved into long term gastritis with an active ulcer which has had me go to the hospital twice. Doctor suspects E. Coli food poisoning from here. I am having to see a specialist for this and still struggle eating solid food, I've lost 20lbs in about six weeks. I wish I could fully explain how sick and miserable I've been. I'm not sure if it was bad ingredients or shortcuts or poor food safety, but something here needs to be reviewed to ensure no one else has to...