DC Brunch Club - Best Brunch Reviews in Washington, DC: Recent Comments

Comment on Founding Farmers Fails First Impression

2010-03-04T17:13:15Z

You are right Mary, it was hostile. I have learned my lesson, however I stand by my point of customer service and they were the example and will remain such. After writing this, I have discussed it with others and have heard more than a few horrible stories about Founding Farmers and at this point, have no interest in ever eating there.

One person told me (we happened to be at Eatonville for brunch - review to come) they went a few months after opening and after waiting forever (even though they had a reservation) were seated and then after getting their drinks, the hostess came over and said she need to move them to a different table. They refused - good for them - and asked to speak to a manager. They explained that up to this point, their experience had been poor at best. The manager apologized and agreed, the waitress was wrong to try to move them. However, when they received their food it was served luke-warm and mediocre. One of the attendees went onto yelp and gave FF a very negative review and explained everything that had happened. Surprisingly, the manager contacted him and apologized and offered him a free meal to come back and give them another chance (this was a good move).

The group wasn't able to reassemble for quite a while and by the time round two happened, Founding Farmers had been open for a good 7-8 months, so the excuses of "they are a new restaurant - give them a break" were no longer valid. Unfortunately, yet again, the dining experience was a fail. The food, again, was not up to par and for the price they paid and what they had already been through, Founding Farmers got a big FAT F!

So, while my judgement may seem hasty, turns out, I wasn't really missing anything.

Comment on Sunday Bloody Sunday aka Tabaq Bistro and Bar Pilar, U Street

2010-03-04T17:03:34Z

We actually went there and you can get the review here. Heights also has a part deux, but I have yet to that post...have been totally distracted. Need to get back in the game - am slacker.

Comment on Happy Times at Harry's Tap Room

2010-03-04T17:01:43Z

You have busted me Letty....We have done brunches, but I have been lazy and haven't gotten them on the blog! I am a bad bad blogger. But, your comment has inspired me....I WILL update the blog! I have 3 or 4 posts that need to go up....gonna do it! I just procrastinate because once I get started it takes forever to edit the pics, content, etc.

I will definitely add Hay Adams to the list...others have suggested them, as well. I have been traveling like a crazy person lately and have the ballet on Sundays, so brunch has been low lately, but hopefully we can organize one soon!

Erica

Comment on Happy Times at Harry's Tap Room

2010-03-04T16:19:52Z

Hi Erica,
I noticed you haven't published in awhile, so maybe you're not still writing this blog... Either way I was wondering if you've ever gone to The Hay Adams for their Sunday brunch? I've heard that the live music and great food make a good combination, but haven't yet tried it myself. Any thoughts?
Thanks!
Letty

Comment on Sunday Bloody Sunday aka Tabaq Bistro and Bar Pilar, U Street

2010-02-20T17:06:00Z

The Heights on 14th street in Columbia Heights, has a VERY extensive bloody mary menu so you can make your bloody mary the just the way you like it!

Comment on Founding Farmers Fails First Impression

2009-11-21T14:59:13Z

That's a really hostile article. I don't think you should have assumed they got your message, and as the brunch organizer, I would not have assumed anything until I confirmed details and got the name of the contact person. True they should check voicemails, but who knows what their reasons were? Nobody's perfect. That you can assume, and try to cover all your bases.

Comment on Founding Farmers Fails First Impression

2009-10-25T17:06:04Z

Which is why I said to please call me if there was a problem with my request when I originally left my reservation voicemail. And which is why I did call to confirm on Saturday when I found out they had no record of my request. My issue is not that I couldn't get a reservation - did you read the post? Perhaps you are a poor reader. My issue is their customer service and that they should have CALLED ME BACK!!! I LEFT A MESSAGE! If you don't want people leaving messages either a) don't have a voicemail box or b) answer the phone when it rings. Poor customer service for a "hot new-ish" restaurant is inexcusable. Poor customer service is inexcusable for any business.

Comment on Founding Farmers Fails First Impression

2009-10-24T23:30:34Z

I've eaten there twice. I won't be back.

The first time they acknowledged that we had a reservation, but still couldn't seat us for 30 minutes. Once we were seated we got a repeated, hard sell on wine. (Hey, I like wine. But after the table has told you twice we're not having any, that ought to be enough.) We got an extra appetizer plate delivered to us accidentally - apparently it didn't belong to any other table either, so the server asked if we'd like to just have it. I thought this was very friendly...until it showed up on the bill! The two people at our table who hate olives carefully picked out a salad that didn't list olives in the ingredients (others specifically did). Based on my last few sentences, you won't be surprised to hear that the salads had olives. Server = not particularly concerned.

All in all, not a success, even ignoring the whole reservation issue. To top it off, because we'd gone there specifically with out of town guests who were excited about the concept, we sent a polite note to the manager saying that the food and the environment were good, but that service had been rough. So sorry, replied someone managerial, we'd love to change your view of us and we'll send you a gift certificate to have you try us again. Like the appetizer plate, a nice gesture...though we never heard another word or received anything.

I went a second time with a friend who really wanted to check it out. It was so-so.

It's a shame; it's an approach I'd like to support. But it seems like they must have gone over budget on building it out to be environmentally friendly, and had to cut back on training and service quality.

Comment on Founding Farmers Fails First Impression

2009-08-02T02:36:17Z

Well you are obviously terribly informed thinking that you can make a reservation for 12 a few days in advance for a hot (not to mention delicious) new-ish restaurant. And really, who assumes a reservation is made without a confirmation. This place is great and this is a poorly done article.

Comment on Founding Farmers Fails First Impression

2009-07-17T19:34:40Z

Don't worry...i've been twice...and seriously...the food is ok..not bad but certainly nothing to return for..Just because a place is environmentally and socially charitable, doesn't mean their cooks can blow your mind.