Culinary Dropout — Restaurant in Tempe

I learned that this is a chain restaurant with most of its locations in Arizona, and thought it was a spot with lots of great atmosphere along with good food! Many of the items are conventionally found in other New American restaurants, while other items are relatively innovative in such a place, and I happened to try one of them and was very satisfied with what I had!

I ordered the spicy vegan curry and I was delightfully surprised because it tasted very much southeast Asian style with the curry they used along with the spices that I was able to taste! I enjoyed having the black rice in there which was something I didn't think about before but knew right away that would work upon seeing it. Some of the vegetables like snap peas, eggplant, and cauliflower are mostly used to complement the vegan aspect of the dish instead of for authenticity purposes, which is more than okay because the curry is the main star and it most definitely is!

I tried some of the dishes my friends have gotten as well. The fried chicken portion was good and had good flavor! The seasoning didn't quite penetrate into the chicken and there's a bit too much breading at certain parts. The prime skirt steak dish and the roasted salmon both taste good with a good amount of seasoning. I think given the prices they can both benefit from having a bit larger portion on its sides, like the vegetables included or the fries, etc., or even a larger steak itself because a skirt steak tends to be thinner which already makes it a bit less worth it when a customer orders a steak that's over $30 and it's a skirt steak rather than a sirloin, if that makes sense.

The strawberry and spinach salad was also surprisingly amazing! I am not a salad person so I ordered it due to my friend's recommendation and it was the right choice! Having smoked almond, goat cheese, raisins, and vinaigrette definitely did the work, because the combination of all of these along with strawberry slices, spinach, and lettuce just created this savory flavor that one normally wouldn't expect from a salad. Totally enjoyed it!

I also want to say we had a very friendly server who was very humorous! I didn't get his name, but he definitely enhanced our good experience at...

Updated The first thing you need to know is they lack enough parking so you do have to use their valet parking (unless you use rideshare to get there) so it's a good thing it is complimentary. Now here is where my husband and I started to have different experiences. We each got a drink from the bar. Mine was done well and his he wasn't impressed with. He said if they put the ice in first it would have cooled the alcohol better...I just got a kamikaze shot and it tasted fine. With our dinner we had soda (they carry Coke products) and we decided not to have an appetizer because the place is pricey. I got the French dip and my husband got the pub burger with add-on egg...both with fries. First, their fries with their house made ranch is phenomenal. My food and the fries with ranch are why FOOD got 3 Stars. My food was done fine. The fries were done fine. Our server was adequate (not OTT, not bad...midline) and came back to our table once to see if we needed anything. We were there with some friends and it wasn't when my husband normally eats so he took his burger home to eat in a couple hours. We were there mainly to catch up over a good meal and one of the others recommended this establishment, we'd never been there. After we all parted ways and came home a few hours later I heard my husband yelling something in his home office. I went in and he was looking at his burger. I asked what was wrong. He responded... it's raw. They seared the outside but left the inside raw. He could have gotten ill off it. Now, we have contacted the restaurant and they have yet to give us our money back for the burger [they were supposed to but something is going wrong on their end so CHANGED TO 2 STARS TILL FIXED], but that is a big no-no in the restaurant industry. Will I go back there? Probably not, though their fries and ranch are awesome. Will I recommend them? Yes, just not the burger because THEY SERVED IT RAW. Everyone seemed nice. Everyone else with us liked their food. Just don't get the Pub Burger without checking it for doneness first. Raw ground beef can...

I attended a company party. From the moment I sat down, I communicated I have Celiac Disease and therfore cannot have gluten. I spoke the the server many many times, continually reiterating I cannot have gluten. The company party had a set menu, and after back and forth, the server brought me a plate missing several food items that I assumed were gluten containing foods. When the server I had been speaking to set my plate down I saw it was breaded fried chicken. I was instantly skeptical and asked again if this meal was gluten free. She reassured me it was gluten free; I trusted her and began to eat. After a few minutes a different server, whose name I found out later was Richard, rushed over and told me my food is not gluten free. I had already eaten several bites. He brought out salmon, stating it was the only gluten free option for the evening, and asked if it was an allergy. I hate salmon, but thanked him for the new plate, as it was apparent this was the best I could have. I told him I had celiac disease and he stated he would bring over his manager.

When the manager came over, he was very condescending. I told him I was assured it was gluten free, and his reply was "well it's breaded", as if gluten free breading doesn't exist. He spoke to me as if I was incompetent and the situation was my fault. I asked him to educate his staff on celiac disease and he left.

I had never been here and therfore did not know the capability of the kitchen to accommodate dietary restrictions. I do now know the incapability and incompetence of most of the staff.

After a while, Richard came back and brought me out a new plate, reassuring me he personally made sure it was safe for me to eat. He was so apologetic and respectful, everything the manager should have been. The substitution I was provided was delicious, though I packed it to go as i was already starting to feel sick.

If you choose to eat here and have allergies, please please ask to speak to the chef and explain what...