Santé — Restaurant in Matthews

We have visited this eatery for some reason called fine dining Las Saturday with a couple of our friends. I have never had in my life such an embarrassing and disappointing experience as at this place. We have arrived 5 minutes ahead of our friends, during this time the hostes , who wasn't polite not hospitable asked us twice "so , where is the rest of your party? " we felt that she was hurrying up from the very beginning. Something you would not expect ever when you pay $ 75 per person . The food was mean, wannabe "european" but rather a bad version of cheap local diner out in the settings of historic premises. The enty with mushrooms and pastry and very elegant French like name, was looking and testing as yesterday's leftovers in turkey gravy . The most expensive entry I had - steak, for 32$ , was ordered medium-rare, however it came black burned outside, no blood inside. Something which doesn't have a common name for it.

In total, our bill came to $ 175 for a two course dinner for a couple with bottle of cheap wine and 1 cream caramel dessert.

Very disappointed from the food and service, my wife left $10 tip only, that was a big mistake. Outrageous hostess rushed to our table shouting loudly so everyone can hear it: " there is a mistake! You left $10 only!".

And then something really ugly happened. At about 8pm, only 1 hour or so after we have been served food, The hostess approached us and told that we have to vacate our table immediately, as another party is waiting outside. No sorry, no apologies, just a rude , offensive behavior.

Totally shocked , still in disbelief that it's happening we started finalizing our meeting with old friends, since it was uncomfortable to anyone to continue.

One of us argued that recesrvation was had not timeliness or whatsoever, and for 320$ we left in 2 hours, the hospitality could be better

It seemed to be provoked everyone in the kitchen , the chef himself came to our table, regardless it was obvious we are leaving anyway, he pulled tables from under our hands, and said " I am calling the police"

I have decided I had enough and regardless my party had already left I said that I am going to stay and see what police is going to say.

Police did not came, I gave up only for the respect of shocked guests....

Avoid. There is nothing really about this...

The restaurant is small, cozy, and romantic. The entry is odd because you walk right in on tables and there is no hostess stand, we sort of stood there looking around as if we walked in the wrong door but then a staff member quickly ran over to greet us. I had requested an inside table as the notes from restaurant week suggest that they may give us a heated patio table due to high demand. I really love restaurant week and being able to experience samplings from apps to entrees to desserts. I want to experience the restaurant and service how it's intended to be and not as a penciled in extra thrown on the patio. However, I was very pleased when we received our table in doors as requested. Service was excellent considering how busy he was. We never received our bread to the table until we requested it. If that's the worst thing that happened during a busy restaurant week meal than consider me thrilled. The food and drinks were absolutely amazing. The cocktails from the old fashion 🥃my husband had, to my martini with lavender,🍸 were so classic with an upscale twist on flavor. My girlfriend and I chuckled as our husbands both ordered the quesadilla appetizer that arrived on a small floral China plate while my salad (which was dressed perfectly) was on a larger white plate. I would have thought the plating would be opposite but it made it fun and whimsical. I ordered the lamb shank 🐑 and it was so tender and so flavourful. It was served over mashed sweet potatoes which paired wonderfully. There were a few haricot vert that were minimally dressed and could have used just a pinch of salt.🧂 Somehow the dessert stole the show for me. Maybe because it's so hard to get a 'real' custard or cream outside of a creme brulee 🍮 when you're out dining (and even then I've had plenty of terrible/burnt brulee). I don't want instant, no bake, cool whip fluff. I want what Sante' is serving! A smooth and rich cream with that perfectly torched meringue. It was so good!

We had a great experience and I am already looking forward to scheduling our next date...

Sante.. what a rare and unique place.. anyone that’s around the south Charlotte Matthews area.. be lucky to be able to dine in at an incredible local place. Chef Adam and his wife Veronica with his daughter, Erin has been running this business for over 20 years, and guess what… CHEF ADAM IS STILL YOUR MAIN COOK!! How incredible is that?! Does he need too.. no.. but his passion and his meticulous aim for CONSISTENT quality drives him to have a touch of every dish going out.. even if it’s a Wednesday night! Did you know sauces here are reduced with an incredible amount of ingredient for hours??? No short cuts here, everything here is love care! What’s even better is Sante and the business supports local markets and did you know Chef Adam has made a big impact in my life when I was a 18 year old boy in the back doing dishes and doing prep? This was 20+ years ago but as someone that’s 40+ years now, who has made a successful career with remembering Chef Adam’s passion and STILL inspiring me.. should inspire anyone today! Come dine in here but don’t mess with my reservations after this because this place is LITERALLY a household gem. Thank you to the Reed family… business is business but thank you for being just good people…. and don’t ever let anyone discredit your passion that’s been going for 20+ years! What a Gem!

-Donny and...