Hobnob — Restaurant in Lakeside

Ok. I really struggled with this one. Please read all the way through because there is upside and I don't want to discourage you from trying. The menu covers a wide range of food, and everything was done with quality that I had, BUT it just was good...not great. I rated based on cost vs taste of food I had. The shishito peppers app was good, but it felt it was missing something. Fingerling peppers were roasted well had a nice peppery flavor (not overly spicy) but they just weren't quite.seasoned correctly. Very one directional pepper flavor and the corn nuts and scallions and stuff just fell short of accentuating it. The shrimp and grits were GOOD, but, again, just didn't quite come together for me. I think the problem is that some reviewers said they were the best they EVER had. My bar is pretty high...and I think they over hyped it, which made it a disappointment. I feel bad for the chef and restaurant because this expectation jaded the experience for me. So what missed the mark? The shrimp and grits were properly cooked, the sauce was good, BUT again the seasoning or maybe balance of the dish wasn't there. The tomatoes had a bit of tang/acid in them, but it was really hard to get them to melt into the flavor profile, so I had a good flavors...but all separate. They didn't come together. Note that I met a person at Final Gravity brewing right after and they said the Chicken sandwich and burger were outstanding, so I really want to go back and try them and update my review after. The bar was stocked with quality. I mean they had Whistlepig whiskey that is top notch. And Rittenhouse rye. Obviously knows what good food and drink is there. In the end I would say a good neighborhood spot, a great spot for a drink and maybe a sandwich. Until I go back and try for myself I think it would be disengenuous to give a better rating. I still think it is warranted to patron them and just go for different dishes. It a really nice venue and patio and...

The wait staff had very bad timing from the moment we walked in. My whole party had never been there before and the menu was small which was delightful but there was no list of non-alcoholic drinks though. As soon as we sat, we were asked about drinks before we could finish squeezing into the small space. Then once our drinks and orders were placed there was no refilling the drinks until we had to ask for it each time. The place has about 15 tables, small and quaint, but it was far from busy the whole breakfast. Half the place was full by the end of our meal. So constantly asking for drink refills, she checked on us 2 mins after receiving the food before bites could be made. Then there was no checking back or glancing to see if anything was needed. I got bacon with my meal, and it was cold and stale when it came out. I used to work as a cook in a restaurant, that's when they cook the day before but don't want to throw it or and it gets stored in the fridge. But they must have just nuked it in the microwave barely but it wasn't crispy or fresh at all! Then when I asked for fresh bacon, a min later the bacon came back with loads of grease on it and extra well done bc they dropped it in the frier rather than cook fresh bacon. I sent it back not wanting the same bacon I sent back to the kitchen in the first place. They don't have any stevia products for sweetener which is minor but they are carrying barely any options for sugar subs. The portion was INCREDIBLY small for my meal being $12 I had only 3 very small silver dollar sized pancakes for$10. Was seriously over priced. And for the wait staff to be so slow and inattentive I was ripped off!! I will not go back, there's no quality with very little quality. The staff is mildly rude to when it came to seating my friends and I. I'll will definitely spread the word about this place...

Wow! 😍 I have had Hobnob to go several times throughout the pandemic, as the drive through pick up was seamless and the fried chicken sandos absolutely bomb! ..but I forgot how much I missed eating there. We savored every moment of our breakfast inside the restaurant today. While reservations are highly recommended, we managed to snag one table inside around 10:30am Sunday without one. They have plenty of airy indoor and outdoor seating. The whole aesthetic is pristine and classic. Service was great, from start to finish. The food was absolutely outstanding!! It was beautifully plated and flavors carefully complimentary. I had the shrimp and grits; thick grits, like I prefer, with a perfect amount of chowder-like cheese topping, fresh tomatoes with ripe acidity (so good!! Are they local? They are divine!), green onion, and plenty of plump shrimp. I cannot recommend this dish enough! 🤤 My partner thoroughly enjoyed his shrimp pesto omelette and said the home fries were perfectly seasoned. The only thing we agree could be improved is the coffee. It would be nice to have a local selection of coffee (like Blanchards) or well known quality (like Counter Culture). I'm not sure what type of coffee we had today because we didn't see it on the menu. Having a light roast option would be nice. The whole experience otherwise is quietly sophisticated. Having fine coffee with brunch would elevate the experience to absolute perfection! That said, again, the overall experience is wonderful and the food is a total home run! Thank you! We will keep coming back for more! 🙂 Remember to grab some dessert for the road, too. That salted caramel chocolate cake...