One and done. Had dinner at Farmer’s Table last night and will not be going back. I hate to be a Negative Nancy, but I need to vent because $150+ is waaaay too much money to spend on cruddy service.
I made reservations for two one week in advance. Upon arrival, (on a Tuesday night) we were offered a microscopic two top, located about 3 feet from the hostess stand, and about two feet from the bar, actually IN the bar area. Since we made reservations for dinner, not the bar, we politely declined. The next offer was a “high top” style table, with high bar stools. Um, no. My husband said, “well, I’d like a normal chair I can lean back in, so I can enjoy my dinner.” The 3rd offering was a seat at a very large, communal, banquette, which came with the hostess’ caveat that other couples might be seated with us later in the night. No, thank you.
We spied one of the four tops located in the middle of the dining room, albeit directly next to the bathroom, and asked for one of those. We were accommodated. I know I am sounding like an old biddy, but good lord, this was the best table available, and I caught a full view of the bathroom every time a person walked in there.
Then the service…sigh. We ordered drinks. The young waiter served my husband’s drink first. I guess “ladies first” is out the window these days. Our carpaccio appetizer was delayed at least 30 minutes (for an uncooked app, this was hilarious) and served without extra plates. In all fairness, the manager stopped by our table and apologized for the delay.
Our entrees were served by a food runner, who approached our table, and then auctioned it. Good god. I KNOW for a fact there are systems a restaurant can use so food runners can serve the correct entree to the correct diner. He set the plates down, then said, “Oh I am going to bring you fresh silverware because I think that’s proper.” He cleared the dirty silverware left from our appetizer course, left the table, and returned a few moments later with new silverware. It was…so awkward. We were sitting there with food, and no silverware.
We had ordered wine to be served with our dinner, (back when we ordered our dinner), though it didn’t arrive till we were halfway our entrees. The waiter served it by pre-setting empty glasses, and then he poured the wine into the glass from a small carafe. He made a big deal of holding the carafe very high above the glass, and I couldn’t help but think, if that red wine splashes on my dress…
Dessert was served without a problem. It tasted fine. The food was fine overall, though not anything to write home about. The cost was over the $150 mark, so no thank you to a return trip. I’ve had better service and more comfortable tables at Studio Diner.