BARDA — Restaurant in Detroit

I embarked on what I hoped would be a memorable evening at Barda, having heard high praises about their culinary offerings and beverage selection. Upon arrival a few minutes before our 8pm reservation, the atmosphere welcomed us with open arms — the lighting creating a warm, lovely ambiance, coupled with comfortable bar seating that promised a cozy dining experience. Despite the slightly cool temperature, which is typical for the Midwest this time of year, I was ready to indulge in a night of great food and company.

Our initial impression was further elevated by a gracious host who promptly seated us, and a waitress who seemed genuinely excited to see us, possibly recognizing my date, a well-known Detroit DJ. However, this promising start quickly fizzled out as we found ourselves seated at the bar, seemingly forgotten.

In the 15 minutes that followed, not a single staff member approached us to take our orders or even offer a simple greeting. The enthusiasm that greeted us at the door failed to permeate through to the bar service, as we watched other patrons receive attentive service, their food and drinks being served while we sat there, feeling increasingly invisible.

The anticipation of trying out Barda’s acclaimed food and creative drinks turned into disappointment, as the joyous mood steadily waned with every passing minute. Even though the place boasted a few empty spots, the discrepancy in service seemed glaringly apparent. What concerned me even more was the nagging thought that our mixed-race party might have been the reason behind this stark contrast in service.

In a city as diverse and vibrant as Detroit, it’s disheartening to experience anything less than inclusive service, especially in an establishment that claims to represent the best the city has to offer. Barda might boast a great concept and delicious food, but these assets lose their luster when not supported by exceptional, and more importantly, equal service to all patrons.

Despite the charming setting and our initial warm welcome, the lack of acknowledgment and service left a bitter taste, overshadowing what could have been a delightful evening. It serves as a stark reminder that a successful dining experience goes beyond just food and ambiance; it relies heavily on a team that embodies respect and inclusivity. Sadly, our experience at Barda was a glaring example of a missed opportunity to showcase the harmony of great food paired with great service.

As it stands, I find it difficult to recommend Barda until they address these service disparities and truly embrace the spirit of hospitality that should be at the heart of any...

I booked a reservation through OpenTable and noted that it was my boyfriend’s birthday. The restaurant confirmed there would be a card at the table and a candle on the dessert, but neither happened. Not a huge deal on its own, but it set the tone for what was to come.

The service was the most disappointing part. At this price point, I don’t expect over-the-top pampering, but I do expect professionalism, respect, and basic attentiveness. Our server poured water without saying a word, then returned to take drink orders. My boyfriend ordered an Argentine wine, but I asked for a sweet cocktail. I asked her twice, and even my boyfriend reiterated, but she didn’t explain or recommend anything. Instead, I had to keep naming drinks off the menu until she finally pointed at one. It felt dismissive and unhelpful, especially for a place of this caliber.

When we said we wanted to order appetizers first and entrées later, she told us the kitchen preferred everything at once. She never clarified that food would still come out separately, which left us confused and scrambling to change our plan. My boyfriend’s porterhouse steak, ordered medium, arrived essentially raw — gummy and undercooked. He ate it, but for the price, that was not acceptable. The sides (potatoes, mushroom salad, and beets) were decent but not worth the cost.

The worst moment came with his wine. While drinking it, he noticed what looked like large clots floating in the glass. The server brushed it off, saying it was “normal sediment.” My boyfriend, who knows wine well, told her it was not normal. Instead of apologizing and simply fixing it, she argued with him before finally replacing the glass — but with visible attitude.

To end the night, while we were still eating his birthday dessert, another staff member (not in uniform, just a polo shirt) came by and removed the plate without asking, even though it wasn’t finished. That was the final straw.

Overall, the service felt curt, dismissive, and careless from start to finish. For a restaurant at this price point, I expected the food and service to match the reputation. Instead, it fell flat. My boyfriend, who was so excited to celebrate here because of his love for South American cuisine, left disappointed. Big mistake choosing this place for a...

The food is not worth the price. There are better options in Detroit such as Oak and Reel for a similar price.

The food was fairly good overall but just didn’t do it for me, especially for the price. Small plates were pretty good. We had the Peruvian potatoes, beet, and burrata. The main courses are just what they say they are. There are no sides that come with them. We got trout and chicken. They suggest ordering another small plate to go with it which doesn’t quite do it for me. I would prefer a whole or complete dish in which the accompanying flavors all are meant to go with each other and balance one another. Instead you get a prettying good tasting side with an okay tasting entree which doesn’t really go with each other. Both the mains were on the slightly drier side.

The desserts were our favorite part. Well executed.

Overall, the service was okay. Waitress was below the standards of what I would have expected. She was brief, quick to hurry us along, and in general lacked. For example, within less than a minute or two of coming to the table she asked us if we wanted anything for drinks. We told her we hadn’t had time yet to look(clearly as we had only been seated for not long). She then said something along the lines of, okay no problem I will give you a couple more minutes. I guess I would have expected a better introduction to Barda, the menu, and maybe herself (I don’t remember her name).

Other staff also gave off a similar vibe. Plates were being prematurely asked to be taken from the table before they are done or literally as soon as we finished. Feels like you are being watched like a hawk and the second you finish they come by. One of the times, I was not done with my plate when they asked. Also, reaching over while my wife was preparing to take a bite to fill her water only to prevent her from taking a bite of food is not a great way to fill water. Overall, this shows a lack of awareness and carelessness for standards. Again, this goes into the price. If I am paying that much, I...