Nectar Restaurant & Wine — Restaurant in Moscow

Such an unfortunate experience. Was suppose to be a cute valentines day gift for my partner and I but the lack service we received was just appalling. We arrive 5 past 6 for our reservation, get seated and our server greets us. Had a strange interaction with her, seemed really out of it. For the first 4 courses, all was well, albeit a bit slow. 45 minutes pass and we have not received our entree nor seen our server. A bit frustrating to see her actively interact with her other tables while we were being neglected. We flag down a different server to ask about our entrees and they were surprised by our wait time and immediately took action. Another 15 minutes pass before the manager walks over and apologizes stating the "kitchen was behind", which is funny considering we watched the table across from us finish 5 of their 6 courses even though they arrived an hour after us. The manager comped our drinks but was very dismissive of our concerns and frustrations. It was an hour and a half before we got our entrees and the entire dinner service was nearly 3 hours long. No one really cared about our table besides the one kind server that we flagged down and also told us the truth that our ticket got misplaced. We wouldn't have minded the service or wait if there was a bit more communication and honesty between us and the wait staff or if the manager was not as dismissive. He seemed more concerned about picking up the staff's domino's order than the wellbeing of their customers. The food was amazing but considering our bill was nearly $300, you would think the service would be more attentive and the manager would have more empathy. Very sad compared to the last time we came, which was...

We were looking for a quiet place where we could enjoy a nice cocktail to end the nice. We heard this place had great drinks and decided to stop by since it was close to our hotel. The staff greeted us at the door and politely seated us at the bar. There seemed to be two bartenders this Saturday night, and one greeted us (female) and started taking our orders. The other bartender, male, looked like he had been working since the morning shift... dirty shirt, ratty old sneakers, and unkept long hair. Not something I would expect from a semi-classy place like this.

I decided to order a Sazerac since she assured me that she could one. But I guess what she meant was she could teach the other bartender (male) how to make one. You could tell he was new to making this cocktail because he asked her several questions, and at one time I think he looked it up on his phone. Since this was a new cocktail for him I would have thought she would check the finished drink... but she didn't. But I appreciate that he did. If she sampled the cocktail she would had noticed it was way off and garnished with a lemon, and not an orange. Way too much absinthe, and just an unbalanced drink.

If you tell someone you can make something you better be able to deliver, and check in to see how it was instead of the shallow "How are things? Good". Especially if you're charging those kind of prices.

Next time we'll go somewhere else. The food looked...

I heard wonderful things about Nectar and being in town for a few days I decided to stop in. The location is cool with a view of passers by through deeply tinted windows. With the exterior looking both nestled into the scene as well as being eye catching enough to not miss. I learned that in the spring and summer months fresh ingredients are selected directly from garden beds and pots on their outdoor seating patio. Inside was very inviting, the building was a cross between the exposed interior structures and subdued luxury.

Seating was comfortable and the restaurant although not large was not crowded seeming even though it was full.

This visit was only for cocktails and the staff definitely did not disappoint. We were greeted warmly as we entered and were seated at the bar. I ordered an old fashioned with Elijah Craig, my wife ordered the Queen Bee and my son ordered an Oaxacan old fashioned (smoky tequila and spicy chili peppers). All were delicious and crafted expertly.

We will be going back for dinner and dessert before we leave town and I believe this will be a staple dining spot every time...