Rock Elm Tavern — Restaurant in Plymouth

I had been excited to try this venue since learning about it this winter. We arrived a little before 10 pm so the bar was still relatively busy but the dining area had few in it. We were promptly and courteously greeted upon arrival and given the choice of bar or dining seating. There was a little bit of delay in our waiter greeting us, which he apologized for, and was a bit disappointed the hostess never returned with the water she promised when she sat us. However, the server got us back on track and took our drink and food order at his first visit. We were disappointed that our waters, our only beverage for the evening, arrived in small plastic glasses. The menu had led us to believe this was an establishment that was trying to set a high bar and plastic glasses do just the opposite, especially when it's your only drink. I used the restroom while waiting for our appetizer to arrive. Overall it was nice and clean, except the paper towel dispenser which was extremely dusty. If you're going to decorate with black, you need to commit to cleaning it often. Shortly after I returned to the table, our Mushroom Toast arrived. It was a well-conceived dish with opportunity for a nice balance of salt and sweet, but the execution was poor. There was too much of all of the flavors, which led to them competing with each other. I think if they pulled back on the course salt at least, it would be much more enjoyable. The hostess brought out our food and again promised to return shortly with water, never to be seen again. After a few minutes our waiter did return to see how the first bites were and brought us some water a moment after that. I had the Buttermilk Fried Chicken Sandwich with the included side of French fries. The fries were an enjoyable cut and a generous portion, although many of them were soggy. The sandwich again was well-conceived but poorly executed. The chicken was perfectly breaded and cooked, and the bun was fresh and well-suited for the chicken. However, there were copious amounts of the garlic aioli and hardly any greens. If those proportions had been reversed, it would have been a truly fine sandwich. My companion found his Rock Elm Burger to be the same, a well-prepared and flavored burger but extreme amounts of aioli and few greens. His sweet potato fries were quite enjoyable. My last observation was on the decor. Overall it had a clean, contemporary look, bordering on the rich feeling. But if you pay attention to the elk antlers, they feel completely forced, pushed onto the walls because they were needed to justify the name, not because they complement the decor in any way. Rock Elm makes a good effort in providing a fun, classy place to drink and eat. With just a bit more effort in cleanliness, service and attention from the chef, it could be a frequent destination. For me though, I leave it with a four so that you can give it a go and see for yourself if you wish, but I don't...

Let’s just list out the problems from our visit

a wellness fee (absolutely fine and encouraged. But there was no mask policy, manager and staff were also unmasked. Tables weren’t socially distanced. It felt like fake attempt at caring for us and the staff.)

waitress (sweet and very friendly probably new so I don’t blame her) didn’t know about one of their beers on tap. So I pointed it out on the menu, she said okay like she wasn’t sure what to do. Charged for a completely different beer but that’s okay, it was the same price because it was HAPPY HOUR 9-11pm… or so I thought. (Side note one of my friends had a beer order that took 20 mins cuz the waitress forgot to put it in)

-Menu states that during happy hour starters are 5 bucks off. I saw the French onion soup starter option, as I wasn’t feeling a full meal and wanted something lighter so I got that. First time the bill showed up it was split amongst our group very oddly but it was full priced everything. No happy hour discounts included. We ask the waitress and she says she forgot to include them. No biggie. Checks come back corrected. Yeah my soup was still full price. Asked the waitress why it wasn’t discounted, who then brought over the shift manager. The French onion soup found on the starter menu is not considered a starter. No indication from waitress or menu. I pointed this out and the response I got was “the menu is wrong”. Okay then fix it? Or mark it? Out of an odd sense of principle I wanted to voice my frustrations, but at the end of the day it was 5 dollars. Didn’t need to make a big fuss over it (even though this is a place that charges 15 bucks for 8 chicken wings. Overpriced in my opinion.)

Basically you’re looking at food that is good but overpriced, a disingenuous wellness fee, newer staff that’s not aware of the bar menu, and a happy hour special that isn’t accurate on the menu. Really wanted to like this place, but ultimately came out super disappointed.

Tip your service workers, support local business. But remember to enjoy...

I did not expect to be so impressed by this little place, but much to my surprise I was wowed throughout our time there. We arrived at 530 and were seated a moment later (with a reservation). Upon getting to the table, waited about a minute before our server Kaia arrived and introduced herself while bringing food to another table. When she came back was very courteous and understanding of us being in a rush as we had to be to the theater in a bit more than an hour. We had already checked the menu in the car and placed our order immediately.

Kaia must have put a rush on it because I feel like I barely blinked and the food was coming out. Huge portions for the salad, wings were large and kids meal was a perfect portion. My wife got a flat bread with panchetta and pear she raved about. Turned out my daughter and I weren't huge fans with the tarragon Vinegrette on the Nisswa salad (we didn't notice it had said tarragon vinaigrette until after we tried it) and I informed Kaia of this. Initially asked if my daughter could order something else and I'd just pay for the salad. Kaia would have no such thing and in discussing the tarragon issue asked if I wanted something else too. We both ordered a burger and fries - which again was expedited due to our time constraints.

Manager came by and took our salads, said she understood the tarragon vinegrette was an acquired taste and was super nice. Then the burgers arrived and blew our minds. First, fries were perfect - crunchy outside soft inside. Portions were perfect as well. I got the burger with blue cheese infused bacon and steak sauce and it was so great! Like 15 things going on in my mouth with that burger, all working together. My daughter got the white cheddar bacon burger and felt it was equally excellent.

Quick check and checkout. Kaia didn't hover but wasn't absent either. Their desserts look wonderful and if we had more time would have indulged... something to look forward to for next time. Awesome experience, can't...