The Hoppy Gnome — Restaurant in Fort Wayne

So we went Here on a recommendation from a parent during our visit to Fort Wayne for a baseball tournament. Place is really nice and trendy! We are greeted and probably seated since we had a reservation. We placed our drink orders right away as we were in between lunch and brunch. I'll start out by saying that their Bloody Mary is top notch! As for an extra spicy, you will not regret it! Menu looked really good. A couple of the people in our party ordered kind of simple breakfast items which were spot on. French toast amazing! Another dish that included the Hoppy hash(Includes quinoa and other ingredients you might not expect or think of when you asked for a hash but nonetheless delicious). A few of us ordered tacos and honestly with the variety that they have and the catchy names you would think that there was a good chance they would all hit the mark but unfortunately that was not the case. For me the shrimps irresistible was not anything Close to what was advertised or even on the picture. Two deep-fried shrimp that could've been right out of the bag or lay it on to what they called a kimchi slaw but mainly made the dish soggy I did not complement at all any semblance of flavor. The Bob Marley was a good option but again it might've been because we were there on Sunday morning that the top chefs we're not there but the execution of the plate was somewhat sloppy and honestly flavors did not come through if not for the adding of the tomatillo sauce and the salsa that was included with the chips. Steak and pasta dish was good flavorful and a very reasonable portion. Bottom merits go to the chicken and dumplings. One of the orders came but really bland and flavor for the most part. Even when considering the fried chicken skins that were included in the plate. The other order came with the dumplings completely raw Ants really watery. What kind of made the experience somewhat off In a big way was when someone in our party asked for a Mimosa. three times though and when we finally got it the glass in which it was served had lipstick on it. When we asked the server to exchange it for the reason I already mention she went ahead and just wiped the glass and bought it back to us. Mind you the lip imprint was still on the glass she bought back. When I called her over and pointed it out she ptook it back however she returns after stating that she her self washed the glass and showed us her wet hands As she gave the same pour of Mamosa in the same wet glass! Did we only have that one glass? And where was the manager to assist with this? When we asked for an option other than the uncooked chicken and dumplings the server asked if we needed a menu which of course would be normal since we've never been there and we're asking for a replacement. All said and done the Mimosa was not comped or discounted even though it traveled through four glasses. Maybe some others have had better luck but as a frequent traveler first impressions are the only Impressions since we might not ever have the chance again. Server was nice and apologetic but this is where the manager should...

The Hoppy Gnome, located in the heart of Fort Wayne, offers an elegant yet laid-back dining experience, perfectly balancing modernity and comfort. The large windows let in natural light and offer a stunning view of the cityscape, making it the ideal spot for anyone wanting to enjoy the vibrancy of the downtown area. We chose to sit by the window, where the view only enhanced the experience.

As for the food, it exceeded all expectations. I started with three tacos, each offering a unique burst of flavor. The first, El Verdad, was a steak taco that delivered exactly what I anticipated—juicy, well-seasoned steak that hit all the right notes, a familiar taste that didn't need to be anything more than delicious.

Next was the Bob Marley taco, a jerked chicken creation with pineapple salsa and roasted peppers. This one was truly something special. The jerk chicken was smoky and tender, perfectly offset by the sweetness of the pineapple salsa. Each bite was a harmony of flavors, with the roasted peppers adding just enough heat to keep things exciting. The complexity of the taco was both beautiful and delicious, a perfect fusion of savory, sweet, and spicy.

But the star of the meal was the Conan the Barbacoa taco. Barbacoa is a flavor I’ve known since childhood, but this was on a whole other level. From the very first bite, I was floored by its richness. The meat was incredibly tender, almost melting in your mouth, with juices spilling out with every bite. It was messy in the best way possible, with the deep, slow-cooked flavors of the Barbacoa shining through and making it an instant favorite. The perfect blend of spices and the intensity of the flavors made this taco nothing short of extraordinary.

Dining at The Hoppy Gnome was an experience to remember, from the chic yet welcoming ambiance to the inventive, flavorful tacos that made each bite a journey. It’s a place where tradition meets innovation, and I can’t wait to...

I really wanted to love this place. The atmosphere is fun and our waitress was sweet and attentive. That's as far as the stars go unfortunately. The food was just not any good. I should have LOVED this meal. I got the sirloin, medium. It's usually my favorite protein. I was super excited to see the char on it, and that it was cooked nicely. But OH MY LORD... This was the toughest sirloin I've ever met. And it was not overcooked. I don't even know how to explain that. I am not picky with my steak. I never send it back. Overcooked? Oh well, eat it. Too rare? Try not to look at it and eat it. Poorly seasoned? Dip it in some sauce and eat it... You get the idea, but I was so tired of trying to chew that mess that I gave up after a few bites. The big serrated butter knife they call a steak knife couldn't accomplish peices small enough to compensate for the awful texture of the thing. Sadly I didn't even eat the mashed potatoes served with my steak because they were cold. My daughter's Kimchi chicken was better but very very salty and my other daughter had a taco that was served on a cold tortilla that was just plain boring. I probably should have just sent it back but I just took the food home for my dog. She enjoyed it so I've asked her to leave a review of her own of she felt mine was unfair. Like I said, I really wanted to like it. It's such a neat place with a great location, but the food greatly disappoints. I hope they were just having a bad night but I don't think we will risk going back...