Shot & Bottle — Restaurant in Lancaster

We were told that we would need a reservation when I called in a few days prior to going, so we made one for 9 pm on a Friday night.

When we arrive just before 9, we had to wait a few minutes for the host to approach us and ask if we needed help. She had been on the far right side of the restaurant putting chairs up on tables. We informed her that we had a reservation and she said, “oh really?”.

She brought us to a table in the back where we sat for about five without being approached by a server. I got back up and went to the host stand to ask if we needed to order from the bar or if a server was going to help us. The host said, “I’ll check”.

A few minutes later a server did show up and take our drink order. We also ordered the Vermont Nachos. They by the way were excellent. So were the cocktails. Unfortunately that is about as good as it got.

The seared Cod was inedible. It tasted like was encrusted in salt. It had clearly been baked and not seared.

The panko encrusted chorizo and ground meat fritters were over fried (not quite burnt but in the neighborhood) and just kind of blah.

The chorizo Mussels could have been a highlight but they were drowning in onions. The broth was tasty and the mussels were good once you got rid of most of the onions.

My impression is that no one in the kitchen is tasting the food and that they are on auto pilot.

At one point in the meal the host came over to our table and started spraying glass cleaner on the window right next to us while we were eating. I asked if she could wait to do that after we left, but she ignored me.

There server did a good job and knew that for the most part we were striking out. She comped the cod, which we appreciated, and we tipped as if it were still on the check.

She did tell us that we should come back for brunch, saying, “we are much better at brunch”

At no point did a manager walk through the restaurant or check on anything. The place has potential but it seems like no one working there really cares that much.

This experience was not great. We might go...

Sometimes it's hard to rate a place where it's so bad but a few things stand out as really good. Saves the rating I guess because without, I probably would have given the place 1 star.

Shot and Bottle is pretty new. You have to park somewhere and walk to it. The restaurant is the bottom corner of the Greist building where the bank used to be. Walking in you are hit with an insane amount of noise. Terrible setup and decor. The place is a large open rectangle with a huge bar in the center. A server came up and seated us at a high top over in a corner. A sign on the table read "order at the bar" we told him we weren't doing that. He found a table in the main area where there was a server.

Tables are not comfortable. High tops are not our idea of a dinner table. A few drinks and apps fine. I want a table to sit and eat though. We ordered a cauliflower ceaser and the short rib. The short rib was good. That and the bread they served were very good. The cauliflower dish. The cauliflower itself was good but it was served with such an underdressed pile of romaine. We thought it didn't have anything on it.

The server was very nice and attentive. Without him and the short rib. The place would have gotten a 1. The place was so loud we could not talk. The tables were so uncomfortable we didn't want to stay. At one point I sear the air went off I sat there sweating for awhile till I felt it kick back on.

I wouldn't recommend the place. Maybe if they redesign so...

This was my first time going and I do not think I will be back. Upon walking in a friend and I were “greeted” by the hostess with her saying “y’all will be gone by 12 right? Because I have a reservation and I need the table I am seating you at by 12.” My friend and I both thought this was rather rude and dismissive to our experience there. The hostess was obviously prioritizing her reservation and didn’t care about our experience. Once twelve rolled around we were getting ready to head out and I saw the hostess pacing and looking over at our table to see if we had left. All in all it was rude and negatively contributed to the experience. The food was okay but not memorable and the atmosphere was unwelcoming and seemed cold. The waitresses and servers didn’t seem enthusiastic or inviting. I got the shrimp and eggs and I asked if the scrambled eggs could be fried but was told there could not be any modifications made to the meal. I also got the Dutch iced coffee but it was extremely strong and wasn’t good in my opinion. Aesthetically the place is beautiful it’s unfortunate the customer service and food...