The Monk's Kettle Terra Linda — Restaurant in San Rafael

I love this restaurant and come here often. Typically, it's pretty consistent. I've written good reviews for them before. Today was different. I went for Sunday brunch and came in around 1:45 PM. There were 2 other tables in the restaurant, it was dead. I was seated right away, but my server didn't come to my table until after 5 minutes I gave him a look. No water, nothing. Then I finally got service. I ordered my regular, the Savory Stack with 2 scrambled eggs instead of a fried egg and Green Tea. My tea kettle came half full - and the tea bag inside. It usually comes outside - so I can put it in and steep my tea for as long as I like and remove the bag. No big deal. I went to remove the bag and the string was not visible, the kettle spilled everywhere. Ok - this stuff happens.

My food arrived - and the scrambled eggs, typically creamy and delicious were dry, crumbled and tasteless. Wow - what a difference from my regular.

I didn't complain.

But then, the staff started blasting heavy metal and grunge music so loud. It was so disconcerting. Typically, they play super mellow music - latin music, normal relaxing music. Not today. Someone seriously went off the beaten path. It was if they restaurant were closed, and they were cleaning - and just rocking out to heavy metal and grunge. It was terrible.

At this point, I got up and asked for my check. I explained my issues - and they ended up comp'ing my meal - which really wasn't the point - I am happy to pay my bill. But I left so disappointed with my regular place.

The manager who is usually there wasn't there today. I can only think that the staff just don't do as good a job when she's not there as they do when she is? Not sure. It was definitely a very off day and disappointing.

Definitely eat here, it's usually good. I write this review so they know that it's not consistent, and regulars are noticing. I hope they pay attention, because I will be back soon to see if they've corrected so I can continue to enjoy my...

We went here for lunch, and reserved a table for 6 people. I reserved it through google maps, and it understandibly took a day or two to hear back which is fine. Reserved no problem.

It's a very nice place, inside seems larger than it looks outside. Guess it's popular for sports and games, as the entire back of its menu was dedicated to mostly beer lol.

Lunch was a pretty basic menu, 4-ish things for appetizers, 3-4 main entrées, and a small kids menu. I don't recall much of a vegetarian option but I'm sure they would accommodate. If you've been to a restaurant whos menu is "one page and no punctuation" sorta thing, it's like that.

Staff was nice, waiter and waitresses were very nice, and outdoor patio (out front) was accommodating for disabilities and dogs. All the wait staff wore masks.

Food was pretty good, I'm no foodie so I'm happier for a much cheaper option, but it was more for the ambiance and taking someone out. They make a fine burger. Everyone else enjoyed the food as well.

It was a nice place with good food, but more somewhere to go for a special occasion than frequently imo. Then again, I'm not as well off as a lot of other "Marin-ites", but that's up to you. It'd be nice to go here a few...

Went here on the recommendation of a friend who liked it. They must have gone on a better day. While the staff were wonderful and friendly, they never refilled or water glasses once during our meal, which was really unfortunate because some of the food was so salty it was almost inedible. We started out with the brussel sprouts, which were very tasty, but also very salty, moved on to the garlic Parm fries, which tested like they put all the salt for the fries in the brussel sprouts instead, bland. We them tried their tomato and fennel soup which had a great flavor, but again was so salty that no one could finish more than about a third of their bowls. Or mains were a mixed bunch alternating from either being very bland, very mid, or so salty they were inedible. We mentioned the overly salty meals to our waitress so I hope she told someone on the cook staff or management about it. You guys really seem to have a hard time with consistency, which is really too bad because there is good potential there. Hope you can do better in the future, but I and the group I went with will unfortunately not...