Wild Rosemary Bistro — Restaurant in Scott Township

When I learned that Wild Rosemary was going to be operated by Raymond, I was very excited, since I loved the vegetarian muffaletta at Cafe Raymond in the Strip! The first time we tried to dine at Wild Rosemary for breakfast, we pulled into the parking lot and Raymond said he wouldn't be open due to a wedding he was cooking for. Before leaving for the restaurant, I had checked Instagram and the website to be sure it was open. After learning it wasn't open that day, my husband said he would never return there. I was a little more forgiving and decided to go back the following week for lunch with a friend. We were immediately seated, with menus in hand, in the lovely courtyard. After approximately 10 minutes and no sign of a server, my friend went inside to ask for someone to come to our table. A server came by and apologized and said she thought the other server had taken our order. When we asked for some water, we were told the only option was to purchase a bottle of water. Aside from traveling abroad, there aren't too many other restaurants at the Wild Rosemary price point that don't provide drinking water, for free. The server brought out the bottles of water, without any glasses. So, we asked and were given some glasses. My friend ordered a salad with chicken, and I ordered a sandwich. When I asked what type of potatoes came with it -- as the menu stated -- she said potato chips. When I asked if I could get something besides the chips, she said yes, for an upcharge. When a sandwich costs $16, it'd be nice to have a choice of side, other than chips. My sandwich was good. My friend did not see any chicken in the salad, so she went inside to let the server know. The server said she didn't say she wanted chicken, but I heard my friend say it. A few pieces of extremely pale chicken, without any apparent seasonings, was brought out a few minutes later. My friend said it was flavorless. Overall, the experience was a poor but memorable one. I hope that some changes are made so that the restaurant improves. I cancelled a dinner reservation that I had made for next month, since I have no interest in returning. It seems as though the restaurant is trying to squeeze as much money as possible out of its customers, without offering much in return. At least, provide some free water to customers and stop serving potato chips! I appreciate that these are the early days of Raymond's new place and hopefully, these are just...

What an experience last night at Wild Rosemary for our 15th anniversary celebration! I've driven by this unassuming 22-seat gem more times than I care to mention, for what seems like 20 years. What a mistake! We began our evening like any celebration should, with bubbly! A 2019 bottle of our favorite pet-nat from Las Jaras, followed by their 2020 Trousseau Gris. Shortly after we popped the cork, we were presented with a whipped Luxardo cherry mascarpone. Said cherries were also reduced in a red wine. A couple of off menu special followed. The baked ricotta with roasted tomatoes, pickled artichokes, olives, and peppers, and the prime carpaccio. Next up was the U-8 grilled scallops that were so sweet. It was like eating ocean's candy! Now, to our actual entrees, the lamb shank and veal chop. Incredible in every way, from the chop's crispy exterior and extremely succulent interior to the perfectly rendered shank, these dishes outshined the rest. Which is an insane statement.

This may all seem like a lot, and it was! To be fair, we spent 3 and a half hours here, totally enjoying one another's company. I meant it when I said experience. This place is a whole vibe, to say the least! We spent the evening listening to the likes of the recently late Bobby Caldwell, Lou Rawls, Stevie Wonder, Gino Vannelli, the Doobie, and Isley Brothers, Shalamar, Commodores, Anita Baker, Santana, DeBarge, Sade, After 7, EW&F, and a host of other joints that just made the mood right!

We rounded out this incredible evening with some La Prima french press coffee and the Yaya dessert. This textural BOMB is an accordion crunched filo loaded with nuts, honey, and whipped cream. Think deconstructed baklava, but with a nuanced sweetness. I'd be lucky to finish 1 triangle of baklava. Had there been more coffee, I may have ordered another! I quite literally left a list of dates for our next return visit. It's that great! Thank you to the ladies who made our evening...

I dined here in September and looked forward to this experience for a WHILE. The space is small/cozy, but small so be prepared. Friendly service, owner checked in during meal, so that was standard.

I reviewed the menu prior to my visit and noticed the $7 PER STEM BYOB fee-be prepared. If you purchase a bottle of wine for say, $20, that same bottle of wine is going to cost you ANOTHER $28 ($7*4 glasses=$28) so that bottle of wine is now $48. I brought a one bottle of beer and was prepared. It was a treat, right?

I ordered the pork chop with pickled cucumbers and honestly, I forget the other side it came with. The pork was DRY!!!!! Not good. I understand pork is challenging to cook, especially when it’s thick, but for the notoriety of this establishment, regardless of their current situation, the pork chop was bad. I’m not a chef by any means, but I know how to make my own pasta, risotto, know where to go for farm-raised meats, so when I eat out, I expect the food to be good when I’m paying this premium. I ordered the hazelnut dessert and it was delicious.

Be ready: they also charge some other type of fee. I can’t remember how much it was; I believe an additional 7%! I asked why the fee and she said it was a “house charge”? Really? Additionally, they are cash only. I was unaware. The owner was nice enough to let me bring the cash the next day. I went to drop it off during their hours but they were closed on a Saturday night so I left it in their mailbox.

I did not include their “house charge” as they aren’t going to charge me to patronize their establishment they serves dry pork chop.

I SO wanted to love this restaurant and never write bad reviews. I enjoy supporting local businesses, but charging a percentage for me to dine at Wild Rosemary and a $7 per stem fee? No thank you.

All the best with...