First & Last Tavern Glastonbury — Restaurant in Glastonbury

So unfortunate to have to write a negative review here, so much so that I write it while still in the establishment. I've been here before and I suppose always "lucked out" with the food and service but tonight, unfortunately everything was sub par. We ordered appetizers and despite not having a busy bar at all, the bartender kept trying to take our menus away. I ordered a cup of soup, received a bowl and was told, despite it being offered on the menus, there actually were no cups, no problem, just odd. I finished my beverage before we finished our apps and over 20 minutes later, still was not offered a refill or served one, even after I asked. I unfortunately sent my entree back because it came out wrong, but also was not to my liking (I have been in the hospitality industry, in all positions, for over 15 years), it is certainly not in my nature to send something back to the kitchen. The difference between "fresh vegetables" and previously frozen on top of completely flavorless sauce is very obvious in a Primavera. Before and after sending the food back, I asked the bartender for a beverage and never received it, when I reminded her awhile later, she said "I'm leaving, I'll tell your bartender". I reminded her I had asked her even before she took my replacement order for the entree I sent back and she said "OK" and walked away, but not before starting another tab for someone else that had walked in.

While an employee named Christina has been lovely, even the couple next to us has mentioned more than once that I asked for a drink before I even sent the food back. My brother is already done with his meal and I have yet to receive my replacement sandwich or drink, nor were any accommodations made for service recovery. In fact, it was not until another customer mentioned we still had not been served properly that the proper attention was briefly given.

It is very sad, but I absolutely could no longer recommend this establishment to anyone, based on the food and the disappointing service.

Update - even after speaking to someone and explaining , it was very obvious that the guest experience was not the priority or the focus....

I hope that this review will be taken in the constructive spirit in which it is given. I have been to this restaurant several time in the past with favorable experiences. Unfortunately tonight, June 30 was an unfortunate exception. I came in with my guest at around 4pm. There were at most four other people seated at the bar with only a few tables filled in the restaurant. There were 2 staff (I will not call them servers as that was the furthest thing from their collective minds). After sitting for a couple minutes we received two dinner menus with no mention of a happy hour menu. After spending at least 10 minutes trying to make eye contact with the bar staff who were disinterested in checking in, I finally asked and received a menu. Several more minutes passed before I had to alert the staff that we wanted to order food. The kitchen was no better as it took 30 minutes to receive a meatball, order of fries and order of calamari. While the food was good, the lack of attention really ruined the experience. The few other patrons seating in proximity had the same experience.

The staff was more interested in their phones, mingling amongst each other, and visiting friends in the restaurant than attending to customers which was very disappointing. I realize hiring quality people is difficult but you are better off closing the restaurant for the night rather than tarnishing the First and Last brand if the “A” team or an effective manager is not available.

I will not say that I will never return, but with so many other options in town it will be a while. I am very happy to pay more for consistent and professional service.

Yes, a long post but if I owned the restaurant I would welcome...

If I could have given 0 stars I would have. First it took roughly 8 minutes to put my order in over the phone for a pizza!! Had to repeat the order 3 times?? I was told 20 minutes. I arrived at the restaurant in 25 because history has shown, at least at the Glastonbury location, they are never on time. Upon arriving, I witnessed "chaos" at it's finest. I felt bad because the hostess was definitely new. I ended up waiting an additional 20 minutes for my pizza. I then asked to speak to the manager, and here's the best part; The waitress says," I'll go get him!" Comes back, and says "he'll be right over!" Then comes back 3 minutes later and says, "there's no manager on tonight" I reply, "that's very clear." She says," we have 3 managers, but none of them are here tonight????" What is wrong with this picture? I wish their pizza sucked, because then I could walk away and not look back. I'd rather walk to the Hartford location than drive to the Glastonbury one which is 5 minutes from my house. Oh, forgot this part. While I was waiting, I met a great guy Steve who came to pick up his 2 grinders that he ordered on the phone..... You guessed it, they never got put in and he had to wait!! He asked for the manager too, but I broke his heart and told him the bad manager news....... We are used to shoddy service because no one complains about it. Maybe if enough unhappy reviews get posted, they'll change.... Probably not, but ya gotta have...