A-Side Public House — Restaurant in Saint Paul

When the bible was translated from Latin into “the modern” Greek, the word for SIN was translated as HAMARTIA, which, in English is interpreted as — 1. to fall short; 2. to miss the mark. 3. to err.

Unfortunately, this bit of trivia came to mind after I attempted to dine at A-Side Public House a month after it opened. “Attempted,” because I never received my order due to a consistent series of service errors and missteps. Sure, the place had only been open for a month. Still, I say this as someone who spent 15 years in the service industry, from dishwasher to cook to server and bartender. In that time, I opened five different restaurants, from fast-casual corporate chains to fine-dining establishments. Even though there are bound to be growing pains and knowledge gaps that will be corrected over time, my service experience at A-Side Public House fell short of the most basic service expectations. Two bartenders were working as I took a seat at the bar where one other gentleman sat. Although the bartenders acknowledged me as they chatted with each other, neither asked to get me a drink, although each commented how I looked hot in my sweaty bicycle attire. After taking photos of the space and chatting with the gentleman at the bar long enough to find out he was a retired fire-fighter from this former fire station, I had to interrupt the bartenders to ask for a beer… about ten minutes after sitting down. I tried to ask for a menu, but another server grabbed the bartenders’ attention first as he returned a coffee drink another patron had sent back because it was not her order. Neither bartenders, nor the server confessed to know the correct way to make the coffee order. The bartenders complaining that they were not baristas. When another gentleman sat at the other side of me and asked for a menu, I let the bartender know I would also like one. I asked both bartenders their opinion of the mussels. One replied that he only ate the burger at A-Side and I should try that. The other replied that he thought they were good, but he didn’t have anything to compare them to, since this was the only time he tried them. Those ringing endorsements aside, I took a chance on the mussels. I don’t know if the mussels were great or if the universe spared me a bout of food poisoning, because I couldn’t get either bartender’s attention to ask when my food would arrive until after they returned to clear my seatmate’s finished sandwich plate. The bartender’s only comment on my order, “It looks like it didn’t get put in,” came without apology or any attempt to explain or compensate their neglected service with any other gesture before I left.

What is disappointing is that I had been looking forward to going to A-Side Public House before it opened. I thought it would be a great little date place within walking/biking distance from my house. Or maybe a new brunch place with good coffee drinks on their menu. Sadly, this place falls far short of those expectations. Even with the bumbling bartenders, I feel this is a problem of management. Why don’t the staff know how to make specialty coffee drinks? Why can’t the servers identify proper drinks before they deliver them to customers? Why don’t the staff know the entire menu? Why haven’t they tasted the entire menu? Should the hostess tell guests, “sit wherever you want,” or should they be escorted to a table and given a menu at the time they are seated? And when errors do occur, how have you trained and empowered your staff to rectify mistakes?

I want to cheer for local establishments and let everyone know about a great little place I found off the beaten path. Unfortunately, A-Side falls short, because they haven’t figured out the fundamentals yet. I would have been mortified if I had taken friends or a special someone to receive this disappointing service. I cannot report on the food, because after 45 minutes, it...

Edit Dec 2022

Tonight we had the French onion soup, Cesar salad, and the Croque-Monsieur. All fantastic and awesome portions. We also had two fantastic beers. The Saul is a new favorite. I also just so appreciate their accommodating kids. So few places like this in town do, but when they do they do it right and make the very rare occasions we can get out make us actually want to go out more, not less. Wikistix, crayons, cool menu, and great food. Best chicken nuggets ever, they have ranch, and the noodles are perfect and plenty. Also, favorite napkins and side plates ever haha

You should probably get into this place before you can't get into this place. This is not some newbie run restaurant. These are people experienced in food, beer, and service who definitely know what they're doing. We had their American IPA and New England IPA and ordered a second round. Just fantastic beers. The mussels (that broth!), the frites (that aioli!), the burgers, and the wings (best ever and I eat A LOT of wings) were all absolute perfection. The space is gorgeous, unique, plays on the firehouse so tastefully. The service was incredible, every single person we interacted with was wonderful, warm, and on their game. The outside had a smokeless fire, benches, and blankets. They have a good size parking lot, but we found street parking easily. I found myself wishing I lived in the neighborhood. Cannot wait to return and try more food, more beer, and dessert (ugh, why did we not...

Live nearby and have eaten here several times, probably 5 or 6. Food is good but a bit inconsistent. The service is terrible and I have finally learned my lesson. Party of 4, you pay your bill at the table. Pay with a card, option to tip comes up, I hit no tip as I ALWAYS pay cash tips. Waitress, says, "really, what was the problem". I said nothing I tip in cash. How unprofessional. That was my 2nd to last visit, tried again though 11/2/22. Food was mediocre at best, italian beef incredibly dry and the roll was clearly old as the edges were becoming quite hard. Rest of party(4) was ok with their food, nothing great but hard to be real thrilled when its $30 out the door for a small burger and soda per person. Dinner was over, 2 of us ordered desserts. Paid at the table and did not see our waitress for 15 min. Finally got up to go ask, she was also working in the bar area. She forgot our desserts. Fair enough , it happens but she blamed it on someone else. She went back to waiting tables and we sat at the bar for another 10 min waiting for a gritty chocolate moose. The dessert took 25min to get, longer than the food. Discounted would have been great, an apology or at least act like you care would have been better. A side has outlived it's honeymoon phase and Im afraid I can no longer recommend, I would actually recommend you find somewhere better. A lot more option on W 7th for better food, value and service. Go ahead and cross this place off your...