It's been said that you don't get a second chance at making a first impression. Unfortunate but true. I can fully understand and sometimes expect a restaurant to face the struggles of a hungry public during a holiday weekend. Staffing issues, capacity challenges, etc. But what I could not understand was the [type of service provided]. Allow me to explain:

My partner and I arrived for breakfast and was presented with a full house of customers. No worries about that - again, I expected it. We decided to sit at the bar area rather than wait to be seated.

We were greeted by a young server (didn't give her name). At first encounter, there was no glee to be found in either her face or voice. Unlike another server who waited on tables with her exuberant and infectious energy and laughter.

I had coffee, and my partner had water. We were advised of the wait because the cook staff were behind (no worries, understood), but while waiting, we were not given any utensils, and although the server was polite, I felt she didn't want to be there and was "disconnected" from her job.

When it came time to order, I asked for the biscuits and gravy that were on the menu, and my partner ordered the chicken tenders. Okay, good.....but not really. We were told again there'd be another delay. sigh, but okay.

When the orders arrived, my order was nothing of what the menu described. When I pointed out to the server that my meal was improperly prepared, she proceeded to tell me there was an option AFTERWARD. My order was missing the eggs and the hash browns. No apologies or a sense of urgency to fix the problem, although it was taken care of.

The gravy was too salty and had bits of bacon rather than sausage. And the hash browns had pieces that were not fully cooked. When we were done, we paid our meal and left. Although I loved the look of the place, the service we received had yet to be desired, and so I hope this serves as a teachable moment, that even if things hit a bump in the road, the least one can do is smile in the process...