201 Café and Wine Bar — Restaurant in Oak Ridge

A friend had made reservations for a group of us to celebrate my birthday. I was the first to arrive. Once the reservation was found the hostess promptly inquired about how long we planned to dine. Before I could answer she told me that someone else reserved our table for 7. Thrown off guard (as I had not made the reservation) I did not have as witty as a response as I wished. Again, I had not made the reservation, but I was also the guest of honor (it was my Bday). At no point was anything mentioned to the friend who actually MADE the reservation. A time restriction was never communicated at any point when the reservation was made. Live music was promoted for the evening which was part of the appeal for our location choice. We had a great waitress, food was great, we all had full course meals with drinks. At no point was this restaurant at max capacity, there were several open tables at all times, no visible line at the door or other diners waiting. Then the hostess approached our table unapologetically and “reminded” me (her scapegoat for unprofessionalism) that it was now past 7:15, then she held her phone over our table to show us, pointed and told us we could sit on some couches. No warm or gentle hospitality, no apology to what was obviously shocking and awkward. We gathered our items and left. This was by far the most unpleasant, unprofessional hospitality experience I’ve ever encountered in a restaurant. I have no word to describe the lack of tack for the poor communication, overbooking, and hospitality particularly on someone’s birthday! (which btw was obvious we had gifts & balloons) We had to make some impromptu arrangements to continue our evening and shake off the bad taste this hostess brought to our evening of celebration. I will never return or recommend dining here due such poor...

We are somewhat locals. ,just moved back since being gone 5 yrs. This was our first and possibly last attempt to dine here. It was a strange Wednesday evening. We arrived with what we thought was plenty of time. 745ish. The wait for a server to the table was not too long, but the interactions between the bar tender, who came to our table, and the server were very clearly strained. The experience was awkward at best. We were told right off they were out of pork and hamburgers. We ordered mahi tacos and mahi filet, 10 minutes later we are told they are out of that as well , so chicken and beef is what they had. We settled for a bottle of wine and two appetizers. The wine we chose they also didn't have. The server knew nothing about the wine list on the menu but insisted upon close quarter conversation about the bar menu. I noticed the server was sick, sniffly or other wise not fit of mind, yet she continued to get too close. The appetizers were less than par, kimchi pot stickers that had no kimchi flavor, and sun dried tomato and spinach dip that looked like baby food with chunks in it. Not so appetizing. The server kept pushing us to order an entree, even telling us the kitchen closed at 8 but they would keep it open if we ordered an entree. We said no thanks. Even more pushing and whispering from the server. We then got a bill for over $86. I had her change it to reflect our actual meal which turned out to be $36. A $50 difference!!! We hesitate to return for a second chance. We thought we would have at least an attempt at a country version of fine dinning and all we got was mawmaws...

During the Lavender Festival on June 17th, 2023, we entered the restaurant at 11:30. We were told it would be a 30 minute wait. At 12:15, a woman from the kitchen seated us. There were empty tables, not sure why the long wait. We placed our order around 12:20. I asked for half and half tea. It was so sweet it would knock your head off. After stirring and stirring, it just got sweeter. At 1:00 we got our omelet. All three omelets we each had ordered was cold, very thin, rubbery and nothing inside. A few crumbs of sausage, no onion and a dab of cheese. There was maybe 1/3 cup of stir fried vegetables cold. They didn't offer any bread, not even a slice of toast. One of us ordered a piece of toast as a side was how she got her bread. I paid 12.00 and something and that was without the tea I had returned. We were hungry when we left and it took an hour and 45 minutes of our wasted time. It is very obvious this place specializes in alcoholic drinks and a band, not food. I went home and made a real omelet. I will never go back there. Had I known Dean's was open, we would have eaten there. I had Googled the day before and it said Dean's closed on Saturdays. Obviously not on this...