Bertie’s on the Rooftop — Restaurant in Waco

It’s too bad looks can’t make up the whole experience.

My girlfriend and I were very excited to enjoy our Valentine’s dinner at the new Magnolia hotel. We were excited to see the thought-child of Chip and Joanna in real life and enjoy the cuisine.

The uniquely designed space would turn out to be the only good thing this night. Bad food, bad service, and evident tension amongst the staff resulted in a $100 down the drain and a new place to keep off the list of restaurants that I would frequent.

The food was an attempt but a miss in the end, as I left still hungry because of the small portion sizes. Not only were we met with negatives, as the waiter listed off the things they didn’t have in stock, we noticed the tension amongst workers as they evidently struggled to manage the dinner rush.

After dinner, we moved down to the bar to enjoy some drinks and eat some dessert (to hopefully get our mind off the wasted opportunity which was Bertie’s). Besides the confusion on where to sit, I enjoyed a wonderful drink made by a not so wonderful bartender who didn’t hide her face of “I don’t want to be here” . This attitude continued and was the first impression we were introduced to as we grabbed a seat at a table that remained dirty for 10 minutes, and after waiting for an additional 5 we just settled for the opportunity to sit down. After not being acknowledged for a longer than wanted period of time, we finally ordered the crème brûlée cheesecake. The first time trying this dish and will definitely be my last. If I wanted to pay $9 for a spin on something that tasted like Chobani Greek yogurt I would’ve gone to HEB. The custard tasted spoiled and the person who flamed the sugar on top was definitely having fun with his flamethrower as we tried to consume inedible char. I’ve never left a dessert on the table and am one to look in disgust at those who would waste a dessert. That being said we took three bites and that was enough for me to accept my hypocrisy.

We were able to enjoy ourselves and the company but the food and experience did not have the impact and influence we expected. I will return for the chess and drinks but I’ll make sure to spend my food money at a place where I know I can be fed well and in...

First the decor and ambiance is great. Now for our experience. I made reservations a couple of days in advance and we were seated at a small two-top near the entrance and host stand (probably the least desirable spot in the restaurant). There were other better tables available during our time there so I'm not sure why we were seated in that spot. Next we ordered an appetizer that never came. When our meals came I mentioned to the person serving them that our meal came before the appetizer (deviled eggs). He determined the waitress forgot to put them into the system. Mistakes happen. Now on to our entrees. I ordered the $47 Chilean Sea Bass. It's was a small piece (maybe 4 ozs) on a bed of wet couscous. The sea bass was cooked perfectly albeit a very small portion. The couscous was overly wet and the taste overpowered by the taste of soy sauce. For $1 more I could have gotten a much larger steak that looked really good when delivered to other tables. The other entree we received was the $26 cheesiest cheeseburger which was cooked perfectly medium rare and had great flavor. I ordered a mojito which had no fresh mint and an average flavor. For dessert I ordered the Dr Pepper fudge cake. It was ok, but much more the consistency of a dry brownie than fudge cake.

The food and service gets 2 stars but the extra star is for the ambience. I would not recommend the Sea Bass due to portion size but especially because the couscous was horrible. Such an easy thing thing to make, no reason for it to be too wet and overly salty with soy sauce.

Would I eat here again? Maybe, but I'd stick to hamburger and try the steak. I expected much more for it being a magnolia property and the price point. I don't mind paying $50+ per diner if I'm getting that quality food. They can do...

I recently dined at this establishment and was impressed by the exceptional customer service from start to finish. The host's, Paige, warm welcome, set the tone for a delightful dining experience. Their attentiveness and efficiency in managing reservations contributed to a smooth beginning.

Our server, Jeanne, was attentive and personable. She provided helpful recommendations and ensured our needs were met throughout the meal. Jeanne's professionalism and friendly demeanor enhanced our dining experience.

The overall service was excellent, creating a positive and welcoming atmosphere. The staff exhibited a genuine commitment to customer satisfaction, making the visit memorable.

Adding to the charm of the evening was the rooftop view, which was simply spectacular. The ambiance complemented the delicious food, creating a perfect backdrop for a memorable dining experience.

In conclusion, this restaurant excels not only in culinary offerings but also in providing top-notch service. From the welcoming host to the attentive server and the stunning rooftop views, every aspect contributed to a thoroughly enjoyable evening. I highly recommend this establishment for those seeking a combination of great food and outstanding...