First Watch — Restaurant in Venice

I have worked in the restaurant industry for a little under a decade (including first watch years ago). I see that the restaurant has not lost its dedication to quality food. I had French toast and an egg sandwich with some water. The whole experience was probably 45 minutes, the server always made sure to come by and check on me along with his other tables. He followed the company’s service policies (greet within so many minutes, offer coffee, provide syrup if needed etc.) However, the atmosphere reminded me just why I did not work at first watch for ling. It was busy, the store was closing in only one more hour, and the cook had to constantly “tap tap tap” for people to run out hot food that customers were waiting on. Now I can’t help but look around and notice that every server/hostess were walking as fast as their feet could let them and was constantly helping a customer out-but the MANAGER stood in the same place the whole time I was there. After I asked some of the staff if the manager is productive in making sure the restaurant keeps its flow, all I got back was that it was a ongoing issue with the manager. The same thing happened when I worked at first watch. The manager could have been working on something in the time i was there, sure. but why would he work on something at the busiest hour at first watch knowing that the restaurant closes in an hour, and he can do whatever he needs to do then. There was hot food waiting, and all his employees were busy doing their jobs. Someone please look into this because your staff represents the company well but the manager is going to run away good...

Sad to give First Watch in Venice such a low review, but they earned only that because the manager did the right thing today. I’ll preface this by saying I frequently eat here and this location has been my favorite because of the service and consistency in the past. My parents are in town and I brag about First Watch and how delicious it is, so we decided to have brunch there. We were seated just after noon. After 15 minutes of not seeing anyone, I walked to the hostess and let her know. It took another 20 for the waitress to come to our table for the first time and take our order, and another 10 to receive water and coffee. Four tables were sat after us and all received their drinks and food before we did. Our waitress never once checked on us. I asked another waitress for some more coffee and she kindly brought another carafe. After waiting 57 minutes, we received our food. It was not warm - my farmhouse hash (a regular for me) was over cooked and cold - thankfully my parent’s chikichanga, grits, and pancakes tasted fine but were cold also. I asked to speak with a manager - something I have NEVER done! He was apologetic, acknowledged the lack of service, and let me know he would speak to the waitress. He went a step above (hence the one star) and comped our meal - something I wasn’t expecting. Thanks to the waitress who helped bring us coffee and the manager who provided good customer service. I recommend providing customer service, wait staff, and diversity training to the waitress who never once checked on us until told to do so by the manager. She is a poor reflection of First Watch and an...

I was shocked. It's brunch time on a Sunday, so I expect it to be busy. I was put off coming through the door because an uncourteous customer cut me in line but I let it go. From there, I decided to eat outside to avoid the wait, which is fine. Took a good 5 minutes for anybody to show up to my table but it's Sunday morning so I let that go as well. I got the BLT benedict. Food came timely, which was the only highlight of the experience. The food itself was poorly cooked - the poached eggs were awfully small, the hollandaise was tangy, and the potatoes were way undercooked, I took two bites and I didn't eat any more of them. In addition, the waitress brought me the bill in the middle of eating - the plate was not clean and I had not prompted her in any way to do so. It felt like a "flip the table" exercise to get me out of there as soon as possible. I'm wondering if she was trained to do so. It sucks because I truly believe in tipping fairly and will usually tip a $5.00 minimum even if I'm just getting coffee; however I was strongly compelled to tip nothing, probably for the first time in my life. Not only that, there were 3 different servers in the outside area. That matters because I truly felt like a peon, not as a welcome customer. I think the restaurant relies on elderly clientele and a modern atmosphere to excuse their poor food and poor service. This is my first time ever writing a review for any restaurant because I was appalled. Management really needs to improve, this was a very bad experience and I think I was there for all of 15 minutes. Don't go until there is a...