Scratch Kitchen — Restaurant in Davidson

To be honest, my wife has been wanting us to try this place for quite some time. The menu looked appetizing and I finally had a free day to try this place. Let’s start with the decent, walked in and sat right away. They were maybe 25% full. The bar looked well stocked and the staff were dressed for what appeared to be a “in for a good environment” experience. Now, to be fair, I work in the hospitality space and have nearly 100 employees and almost ten locations under management. My expectations are strong for any location and I do not take to leaving a review lightly, but the shop needs some serious work from an operational perspective. To note, it was 95 out today and we were seated right by the thermostat reading 80 degrees inside. The outside seating was not an option, so as we waited for a server and throughout the meal until departure, the sweat level was intense. Now it’s time to order, no waitress. We see several other tables sat, and then, an appearance of a waitress who didn’t check with the hostess to the arrival order. Two other families had their orders taken before ours, and delivered to the bar side POS. After the bad start, and the continued heat, we finally ordered. I entertained my daughter with stories and a Netflix show while I watched the ice melt inside our waters. Finally, we see the food come out for the other two tables…, the silent stares across the table between my wife and I of, I just can’t wait to leave the sauna are a stark reality as heat frustration sets in. Finally, here comes our meal…the only thing is, there are three of us and only two plates…the item missing, just my daughter fries. That was the meal selected by a 5 year old and as all parents of small kids know at dinner time, you’re just trying to get them fed, and happy. Luckily, my meal came with fries and I passed mine to her. We asked for the missing fries as we began to attempt to eat. Luckily, her fries were cool and she ate without much resistance. My panini - meh - okay/serviceable. The only reason for two stars is my wife enjoyed her Margherita Pizza. Her comment, “it’s hard to mess up this kind of pizza but it’s not the one next door is better.” After 10 minutes or so, the fries finally arrive… scorching hot, intolerable. So, we have an error in one of two locations - kitchen don’t pay attention to the order and/or the waitress didn’t get it in the system appropriately. Tipped the waitress 20% because it’s only polite etiquette. We did inform them we would not be returning based on the experience. I have a motto of try everything twice, but until I hear of substantial improvements from friends who try it, we will not return. Additionally, I cannot in good spirits, give a recommendation of the establishment in its current state. If it’s me, I am in there tomorrow with my staff working through this operational flow issues; and I’m on my Landlord now about the heat. Per the waitress, “you should have been here one day last week, it was 82 in here. Maybe come back in...

Very disappointed and didn't even get served.

We arrived and wanted to sit outside so walked inside and asked and were told to go sit ourselves and someone would be right with us. About that same time another couple did the same (had a dog with them). As we waited, a server came out with a water bowl for the dog, chatted with the other couple and took their drink order. She brought their drink order out and never acknowledged us so we asked her if someone was going to serve us and she said something like "oh sure she'll be right out." Right after that another server came out to us, have us eating utensils but didn't say one word to us. At this point, we'd been there about ten minutes.

Finally after about 15 minutes of being there, another server comes out and asks us if we're ready to order (this is the same person that was bar-tending). We asked her if she could get us some waters and perhaps a menu. She goes in and comes back with waters and one of those laminated QR codes to scan and asks us if we want to order a cocktail. We tell her we need to see what's on the menu first. She says OK I'll check back in a few minutes.......time passes and we wait......

Meanwhile another group of I think our comes and sits outside and the server that took care of the couple with the dog promptly comes out with menus, takes some drink orders, comes back and takes their food order....while we wait.......

At this point it's been 35 minutes and our server still hasn't come back. Then two guys come, walk inside then come and sit outside. The server that brought us eating utensils but didn't bother speaking a word to us then promptly comes out to the two guys with menus, is very friendly to them, starts telling them about the day's special and asking for drink orders. At this point we look at one another and get up and leave.

We'd parked right in front so when back in the vehicle I noticed at this point it was 5:40 which means we sat there for 40 minutes basically being ignored or overlooked for whatever reason.

But wait. Here's the thing that may have upset me more than anything! I've barely even started my vehicle and her comes the bus person to clear off our table of two waters and eating utensils. No one could be bothered to serve us for whatever reason but they certainly seen us get up and leave.

Visit was on 6/27/2021 about 5:00PM

I've heard great things about this place and was excited to try it but after that, I doubt I'll ever go back. I don't really understand where the disconnect was because they weren't at all busy and I find it strange to have the bartender serving outside tables when there's two more...

Updated 1/15/21: We decided to give this place another chance. Their participation in rewards programs helped. I'm glad to say this time it lived up to our hopes and expectations. We started with cocktails, where I had a first ever smoke bubble over the rim, which was unique and delicious. The mushroom burger, soup of the day, and salad we had were all great. The kids grilled cheese was large enough for the kids to split. Lots of other unique drink options were available and enjoyable too like craft cider and beer, hard seltzer and kombucha, and wine. They were short staffed as most places are, but the small team was still attentive and courteous. We will be back!

Prior review (2 stars): I'm honestly baffled by the prior reviews based on today's experience. Maybe it was Chef's day off. First, we enjoyed Ghostface's other locations and were excited to have one closer to Huntersville. Even better is the local fresh food concept that we love to support as foodies. However, that is not what came out of the kitchen today. Kids tenders were obviously frozen and heavily breaded, so not a great start. My wife's Nashville chicken came out burned and dry. The person dropping it off from the kitchen was quick to run off after dropping it off. I got the Ghostface flatbread and that was good, but same as their other location. Parmesan truffle fries were tasty, but didn't seem like fresh cut fries either like even 5 Guys does... just heavily dressed up. Everything was delayed by computer problems dropping the original orders. Bathroom had no TP and they struggled to find some. Service was pretty good otherwise and they comp'd the inedible chicken sandwich. Outdoor area with heat lamps and full service was nice and COVID friendly. Beers were ok, although digital menu was very outdated. I think if this was any old pub it would have been acceptable, but with all the 5 star reviews and local fresh claims, it far from met...