Board & Batten — Restaurant in Mesa

Board & Batten: A Mixed Bag of Delicious and Disappointing

3 out of 5 stars

Board & Batten held such promise! The ambiance was lovely - tasteful and welcoming, even better than their Instagram reels. We were excited to finally try this neighborhood gem, especially with the rave reviews from friends. Sadly, the service really tainted what could have been an amazing experience.

We were greeted warmly by the hostess, but then things took a downturn. Veronica, who we later learned was the general manager, checked us in and was surprisingly rude. With plenty of open tables both inside and out (it was a mild September evening), we were flexible with seating. However, Veronica seemed annoyed we didn't have a reservation and told us it would be a 15-20 minute wait for an inside table, dismissing the possibility of sitting outside.

Thankfully, our experience at the bar was much better. Tristen, the bartender, was friendly and made a delicious Bramble cocktail. He engaged in pleasant conversation, which was a welcome contrast to our initial interaction.

When our table was ready, we were invited to close our tab at the bar and oddly reminded that we couldn't transfer it to our table. Our server, Josue, was unfortunately the epitome of inattentive. He was consistently absent, forcing us to flag down the water server multiple times to place orders and ask questions. Every course was delayed due to his lack of presence. We even had to go back to the bar to order wine, where Tristen helpfully assured us he could transfer the charges to our table. The menu was notably outdated as the Pinot Noir we were looking forward to trying, was no longer offered -- the management forgot to reprint menus with accurate reflection of the sub par Willamette Pinot replacing the wine advertised.

Despite the service hiccups, the food was good. We enjoyed the sweet rolls, the Caesar salad, the cacio e lemon with grilled chicken, and the chocolate souffle. My husband was especially keen to try their dessert, and although it took Josue 20 minutes to return to take our order after dropping off the menu, the souffle was a satisfying end to the meal.

When we asked for a manager to express our concerns, we discovered it was Veronica. We were told she was too busy to speak with us and we left.

Ultimately, Board & Batten is a mixed bag. The ambiance and food were great, but the service, particularly from the general manager and our server, was a huge disappointment. For a comparable dining experience with better service, we'll likely stick to restaurants a bit further afield or just stay closer to home in Las Sendas. Hopefully, Board & Batten will address these service issues and live up to its...

We were reminded the food is fresh and a lot of it is locally grown. I do appreciate restaurants who support their communities.

As for the food and portions. Our guest had the $45 Prime Flat Iron steak and she said it was "dry". I didn't taste it, only passing on what she told us. My wife had the Chile-Honey Chicken $31 and she said it was okay, but for the price and portion (my wife is only 5'0 115) were small, but she finished it. I had the Pasta. I think for the value of portion and price it was good, but I was told it was spicy which maybe had a hint of spicyness. Our other guest was satisfied with his food. Although the cubed potatos were blan.

We did get the, I think it was Blue Crab appetizer. It was very salty, but then, it came from the ocean and some people are not into salty foods.

The atmosphere was pleasant. We ate inside. When we left the outside was full and looked very pleasant. If we go back, we will sit outside providing we didn't have a 110 degree day.

I'm sorry I didn't take pictures of the food.

On one side note, I would ask that the busboy please don't be in a hurry to clean the table as soon as it seems someone's plate is done. I felt like maybe they were short on dishes and silverware. I do appreciate the effort in cleaning the table so people are not looking at empty messy plates. Also, big tip here. When you are refilling someone's water, please do not refill of the table or customers phones; especially when adding ice to the glass. The ice cannot be controlled and all you need is a big chunk to come out and someone's cell phone is going to get launched and ruin. Easier to pour at the side of the table and if there is spillage, it's easier to bring a towel and clean up on the floor. Oh, one last thing. Why on tables of four is their carpet underneath? It's got to be one of the dirties places for bacteria and germs to sit unless you are carpet cleaning them...

A Delightful Surprise at Board and Batten

On a recent visit, my Father, Wife and I had the pleasure of discovering Board and Batten, a gem just a short drive away from the kids' trampoline park. In search of a nice spot for a drink and a bite, we found this charming establishment, despite the minor hiccup of it being closed from 2-5 PM. Totally understandable.

The moment we arrived, the warmth of the staff was apparent. The hostess and servers were remarkable, graciously taking our drink orders while we enjoyed the relaxed ambiance on the patio. It wasn't just about the drinks – which, by the way, were excellent (I highly recommend the beverage I had; so good I had two, but I don't remember the name, it had a freeze dried orange and crystalized rim. I will update on my next visit, while my wife savored a sparkling rosé, and my father, a rich dark beer). It was also about the connections made, like meeting fellow visitors from Wisconsin and Minnesota, who shared ties to our small hometown of Prince Rupert.

The staff's seamless service, even amid preparations for the dinner service, didn't go unnoticed. Their ability to make us feel welcomed and accommodated added significantly to our experience.

This visit left such an impression that I’ve already recommended Board and Batten to my parents for a surprise night out for my mother.

My wife and I are eagerly looking forward to returning for our anniversary dinner in early March. Board and Batten, you’ve certainly earned yourselves repeat customers!

Looking forward to our next visit!

My parents were in tonight, with their neighbors. Mom called when she got home. She absolutely loved the place, the food, the beverages, the service, the room and the ambiance.

Thanked me for telling dad to Bring her in for a date.

Thank you for not disappointing.

My wife and I will be in the first week of March for our...