The Coterie Restaurant — Restaurant in Town of Gates

Visiting my parents in town, we came here after going to an afternoon movie because the reviews were so good and it was on our way home. For me it was a huge swing and a miss.

Tuesday night. Rainy. Slow. I think a busser may have been cooking in the kitchen instead of a chef or even a line cook. It was like they looked outside and said "we're going to be slow, let's put the C-string in the kitchen alone and not stress about quality "

Service (5 stars): our waitress was excellent. Alone on the floor, she was great. We walked in to two 3-tops already mid-meal. She was on the ball with specials, up sells, and drink mentions. Well done.

Food (2 stars): I'll refrain from over editorializing.

Chicken quesadilla ($15) - oily, awkward flavor combos, and chicken cubes that had been cooked into oblivion. Sour cream served in plastic ramikens with the cover on. No sides.

Maple Bacon BBQ Chicken Tenders ($18) - chicken was the most chewy/rubbery serving of chicken I think I've ever had. Nearly un-cuttable with a standard table knife. This is not an exaggeration. The breading didn't taste like bacon at all and the maple BBQ sauce had zero maple flavor in it. But it was very sweet. The Mac & Cheese was equally chewy, under sauced, weirdly salty, and felt "out of a box." French fries were the right consistency but wildly salty. (Blue cheese dressing was dynamite, btw. Chunky and rich. Clearly bottled but hit all the points so no complaints there.)

Lemon Roasted Asparagus side ($6) - tiny portion, and each stalk was literally about half a centimeter wide. Stringy, epically overcooked, over salted. Fully un-cuttable. Truly. I had to spin them around my fork like pasta just to get them to my mouth. It was that or picking them up with my fingers. I ate two bites.

Normally I'd ask the kitchen to make some tweaks rather than writing a brutal review, but everything that came out of the kitchen was so off, it was easier just to eat fast and get out. I had no trust in the cook's palate to remedy anything.

I hope that a busy weekend night renders the good reviews that everyone else seems to have. My advice, don't go at the beginning of the week when the kitchen seems completely checked out with little respect for the food. Two staff total (no bartender) did not affect the timing, which was paced well.

Portion sizes and quality did not warrant the prices - even then, none of us finished our meals. We got a to-go box because my parents feel bad leaving food on a table even if they won't eat it the leftovers at home.

Atmosphere (3 stars): I could tell they're putting thought into the atmosphere and building as they go. There were furniture and fixture boxes off to one side unopened like they were moving in. I'm actually interested in seeing it when it's done because I think it will be unique and enjoyable.

Bathrooms were inclusive and immaculate. Praise is due there.

Overall, I don't understand how all the reviews are so high, so I felt the need to thoroughly share...

-Just want to add an update…because I gave a honest review courtney the owner gave my fish tanks that I put on Google maps a one star review and THEY ARENT EVEN UNDER MY NAME! she was so upset someone said her bad food was bad that she dug into my life to put down my coral. The coral is upset now and my fish aren’t swimming anymore, thanks a lot Courtney look what you’ve done…..Just kidding they only care about food, unless it’s from the coterie who pays a google review service instead of learning how to make simple dishes.

Also to clear something up they did come to the table several times to harass us and try to tell us we were wrong to think the food was bad. It was uncomfortable and that’s what spurred me to tell other people about this place. I didn’t ask for the meal to be comped, i even told them I don’t want it comped because I don’t do that, it won’t change the fact that I went there and ordered it and they made it…I’ll pay IDC we just wanted to pay, leave and never go back, now I have to deal with upset fish Courtney.

Original review We went for lunch because it had such high rating and figured we would try it, they’ve got to be paying a bot service for ratings or something because nothing is adding up here.

Wife ordered the fried green tomato blt and the tomatoes weren’t even tomatoes, it was like corn husks you couldn’t rip them, you couldn’t bite through them..with 1/2” of soggy breading on them. Someone came to the table when I asked about the corn husks and they blamed the distributor for being out and they had to make their own….this is what got me. They’re charging chef made prices in this place, they shouldn’t own a freezer. $16 breaded corn husk sandwich one of the cheapest, easiest menu options. They comped that plate because it’s inedible.

The chicken tenders are sliced chicken breast. Chewy, untenderized, unseasoned, not a drop of buttermilk soaked, sliced chicken breast with a poor excuse for breading slopped with bbq sauce. It can be found with the “chefs special” section of the menu and comes with Mac and cheese which is just noodles with watery Alfredo sauce, when you get the noodles and think where’s the cheese it’s the watered down sauce at the bottom of the little soup cup. $18 bbq leather strips

We...

I’ve been to The Coterie several times now because the food is consistently excellent and the whole experience keeps me coming back. The atmosphere is cozy and inviting, and the staff is always friendly, attentive, and super knowledgeable about the menu- they’re great at making recommendations when I can’t decide.

Today I tried the lobster ravioli special and the lobster bisque, and both were fantastic. The sauce on the ravioli was light and fresh, and the flavors were spot on. I usually go for the buffalo chicken Caesar salad (a favorite!), but I’m glad I branched out. I also had the rhubarb rose gin and tonic, which was to die for.

The menu is really creative, with unique dishes you won’t find elsewhere. I have my go-to favorites, but it’s absolutely worth exploring the specials too. Already looking forward to...