The Brothers Moon

We had a rather terrible lunch here, but my husband and guests loved the chocolate cheesecake, raspberry coconut, and lemon curd "gooey bar" cake we were given as consolation prizes.

The setting is cute and everyone in the restaurant was pleasant.  The crowd was older folks, many retired, some about to reach there.  I was with my 7 month old in a carrier and nearly 3 year old in a high chair.

We were seated immediately, then waited.  And waited. We got the bread basket and ordered: medium rare steak for my daughter, mediterranean platter--a cold dish--for me.  A single person sat in the table next to ours.  She got her bread and butter.  Then after water, ordered.  A table on the patio was seated. They ordered.  The patio got their food.  The single person got their food. We were waiting.  

Amazingly, the kids were quiet for the first 30 minutes, enjoying the brioche and butter.  Lots of butter.  They got bored of the bread and butter.  I was annoyed that we were still waiting.  Eventually, I flagged down our waiter to ask if there was a problem with our meal--he decided to check on it (same water as for the single person next to us, enjoying her crab cake sandwich).

Waiting, but we had more water.

Kids starting to lose it.

Food brought out.  The steak was medium WELL.  Grey.  When the server was nearby, I let him know that the steak was not medium rare, but we didn't have time to send it back due to a Watershed commitment. My daughter ate the olives from my plate. The steak knife, given to my toddler, I used to saw through the steak. She liked the asparagus, and my olives.

I did ask to see the manager.  He apologised that they had no control over the timing--they wanted the steak to come out at the same time as the cold platter.  I let him know that that was great, but that it didn't make sense that a) 2 other tables seated & ordered after us were served before us and b) medium rare is not medium well, & 3) a medium rare steak does not take half an hour to cook. I apologised that my kids got agitated (loud) for the middle section of our time there (they were calm when I spoke to the manager), but seriously, don't serve tables out of order, particularly when it is so obvious.  I asked that they teach the kitchen how to cook a steak. It's honestly not that difficult to get a cold platter and a steak out at the same time--that's kitchen 101.  

I hated the babaganous, which was a very thin, unappetizing puree. My infant liked the hummus. The feta was good. The marinated peppers too tarte for my liking; my daughter loved them. The toast was tasty. The bacon was pre-cooked in tiny little strips, cold, obviously prepared in advance.

They offered to take off the steak, I said no, I'll pay for it, as my infant enjoyed it. The bill had MR next to the steak order.  Grey, with only a hint of pink, isn't medium rare.

We do want to return, as it is a cute place and I'd like to give them a second chance. I like the paint used on the walls, and would like to show it to Jim so see if he agrees that it would be great for our bedroom.  My guests, last night, loved the desserts.

The experience reminded me of a recent conversation during which everyone crapped on Princeton restaurants and extolled the virtues of restaurants in every other town--where EVERY restaurant is good.  To the 50% of the 2 restaurants in Rocky Hill I've been to, sure.  To the ones I've been to in Hopewell?  I can't say I've been blown over by even one of them.

$33 including tax & tip for lunch.

This was my first time visiting The Brothers Moon after driving by for a good two years. I met with two people for lunch.  We sat outside, but got to peak inside. Atmosphere for both was quite charming. Our service was kind, informative, and attentive without being overbearing. The best of both worlds. We all thought our food was fantastic. I had the Cuba Luna (Cuba Luna - pressed sandwich: pulled pork, ham, kosher pickle, with sharp mustard and Gruyere on baguette) - so delicious. The pulled pork really shined and paired well with the stone mustard. Others had a sesame chicken salad (sesame dressing, regular chicken, YUM!) and the Moon burger. We were all so excited with how much we enjoyed everything, and are looking forward to coming back again. Totally a great place.

We have taken friends and visitors here many times, and everyone always loves it. We are vegan and though the menu doesn't have vegan options usually, if we call ahead Chef Will not only provides options but creates a whole special menu. It's wonderful to have this place in the neighborhood, and really we should take advantage of his willingness to accommodate us more often.