Hummingbird — Restaurant in Raleigh

Firstly, we had a reservation for 12:30 and arrived on time. In the Resy booking, we noted that one of our diners uses a wheelchair. After nearly half an hour, we started asking when we could be seated, as we were standing outside in the heat and humidity. When the guest with limited mobility tried to ask the hostess a question, she walked off from him completely while he was still trying to converse.

We nearly left, when a spot in the back of the restaurant near the restrooms and kitchen became available. Granted, our reserved table’s previous guests had cashed out, then they wanted to re-up. The Right Way to handle that situation? Note that the table has been reserved for other guests, and offer to re-seat, get food to go, what have you - especially with a disabled guest. What happened? We got seated back near the restrooms. The hostess asked what we needed, and a couple of those items were never retrieved, nor relayed to the server. Par for the course after a miserable 45 minutes, so far.

One thing I noted: the people sitting on the patio and in the main lovely dining area were all Caucasian or Asian. The people of color, the disabled, the Native Americans and the immigrants (we belong to the latter 3 categories) all got seated in the back near the restroom.

The sausage wasn’t pork sausage. At a “New Orleans inspired” restaurant for SOUTHERN BRUNCH, serving your version of merguez beef sausage without noting what you’re serving is not great. Doesn’t say that you understand your cuisine or the few Southerners you will be serving, at all. The cheesy grits were coarsely ground, bland, full of some kind of herb like chives, and didn’t taste like cheese one bit.

The table next to us sent back their chicken from the chicken and waffles, noting that it wasn’t good. The diner instead opted for the steak - which is what I also ordered. Right at the end of their meal, the diner’s companion asked was the steak better? The response was “it was good,” but it wasn’t enthusiastic at all. My steak tasted like it came from an older cow, very strong tasting. The server noted that they weren’t the only table to complain about the chicken, which had happened for at least 2 Sundays in a row. I provide this context so you understand we weren’t the only unhappy diners.

After about an hour, the full meal finally came to the table. We got there at 12:30. It’s now 2 pm. Our family member with limited mobility has seen the “yuck” faces made from the first small plates we got, plus the comments of the diners beside us. He decides on cocktails only, specifically the James Beard woman leadership donation cocktails, because they sound good and he wants to support woman leaders in the kitchen. He notes they aren’t good. We had planned to come back for dinner sometime, so he can get more of the cool sounding cocktails before eating there. This plan was scrapped after drinking Lite Brite and Water Sign. Can this experience get worse? Yes, it can.

The steak and eggs comes with two sunny-side eggs. I don’t like runny yolk, so I ask for overwell. My fried eggs are crispy fried and brown. The only tasty thing on the plate is the homefries. My housemate says that the chips on their Monte Cristo are overcooked. I’m told by my other family member that the quiche is basic and weird. They said that the mustard base was “too much mustard,” and weird with the tomato, especially when combined with egg. They are from France, and actually quite polite about when food isn’t tasty. I asked my other family member about their chicken and waffles order: “The waffles were okay.”

I nearly cried at the table it was so bad. I wanted this to be a special brunch at a nice location with “good vibes” and “nice decor.” The rave reviews this place is getting are bullsh*t. The only halfway good part was the service from the server, which is why I gave a tip - or even paid for the meal. Seemed like they were doing their best - which I respected. Honestly, “a bad day” at a truly great restaurant means one or two things aren’t great - not the...

I went here on a Saturday with a friend. We originally were sitting inside but asked to be seated outside due to the inside being compact. I ordered shrimp and grits. On the menu, it states, "bacon, mushrooms, green onions and stone-ground cheddar grits. It states nothing about spice nor a sauce. FYI, I can't handle any type of spice. The food came with a huge amount of sauce. I took a bite and realized it was spicy. I took another one, just to be sure. I asked to get something else since it was spicy. The server asked if I wanted to box it up and I said no. I can't eat it so why box it up. I then ordered Huevos Rancheros. The manager came over and stated that it had some spice as well and suggested French Toast. I declined as I am not a French Toast person and stated that I would just take a brunch burger. She then stated it was going to take a while to cook and I said OK. Moving on, when the ticket came out because I was so into my conversation with my friend, I just took out my card to pay, but I knew the price seemed a bit high knowing we didn't get any drinks. The next day, I look at my receipt and realize I had been charged the shrimp and grits that I was not able to eat due to the spice. I called the restaurant and was advised to call back at noon because the manager that handles that issues would be in at that time. I called back at 12:04pm and the manager that I spoke with yesterday was the one that answered the phone. FYI, she has a very distinct voice. I told her my issue and she put me on hold stating that she needed to go a quieter room to hear me. She didn't mute the phone. She just sat the phone down. I heard her seating other people, being excited about certain people that came (probably people she knew), etc. She picked up the phone and ask me to hold again. I stated ok, as she did the same thing again. After about 10 minutes on hold, it was now 12:14pm, she picks up asks what my issue was. I stated that I was charged for food that I wasn't able to eat due to the spice level. She said, Oh the server charged you, as she remembered who I was. I said yes, she said, "well, it has already been processed. I could leave a $25 gift card for you at the front." I asked if it was for the restaurant, and she said yes. I stated that I did not want that. And that I wanted my money credited back to my card. She stated that this was their busy time, and I could give her my card number over the phone, and she will try to take care of it later. I told her that I didn't feel comfortable doing that. (Why would I give her my card number to write down when this is their "busy time". For her to forget and someone sees my name and card information laying down, smh). She then states, "well it is going to take a few days because I have to call Heartland to get it processed." I didn't know what that meant but said OK. She then stated she will call me back on Tuesday or Wednesday. I am assuming that I gave her my phone number to call me back. I am concerned that I will even get a call back, so I feel like I need to go up there to make sure that it is taken care of. I feel like this manager wasn't trying to really be helpful and wanted to like brush me off. Her aura was off from the beginning when I asked if we could be moved from inside to outside. I feel disappointed in the way things are being handled and won't be returning back.

Update on 11.21.23: I was finally refunded the money for the shrimp and grits that I wasn't...

I finally made it into Hummingbird for dinner and loved it. Brunch is great and dinner is better. My wife and I came in with another couple and we bought too many things and had too many drinks and I regret nothing! The service was amazing and friendly. The chef stopped by our table, she was gracious and patient with all of questions about technique and ingredients. And the food, every bite was delicious. Arugula salad, dressed perfect, melon and cheese, paired wonderfully elevating the flavor. The shrimp creole was rich, salty, with a tiny hint of heat that kept you coming back to it. The au gratin squash might be my all time favorite squash dish. Stand alone squash as comfort food, who knew? The BBQ chicken, also perfect. Dripping with juice, the meat was flavored from skin to bone, paired with the best fried okra I’ve ever had. Finally the bread pudding was straight magic. I’m not sure where Hummingbird is in my personal best restaurants of Raleigh list but it’s in my top three. Totally looking forward doing a lot more research here so I can make up my mind!

I left my original Brunch review below if you’re still reading…

Brunch on a loading dock. :) Hummingbird does a good job elevating their section of the loading dock (it’s still a loading dock) but let’s face it, you’re here for the food and cocktails and both are very good. The watermelon and arugula salad, like many dishes here, is better than the sum of its delicious ingredients. Well balanced flavors. The chicken and waffles are very good but there are at least three other places in Raleigh doing this better at similar or better price point. And the Pavlova is inspired. I lack the adjectives to describe this lovely and delicious creation that is lightly sweet and crispy/creamy/melty. Just mmmm. House cocktails are tasty and more boozy than most brunch places so you’ve been warned. I expect to be back to do brunch again and do dinner sometime soon too. If so, I’ll...