Retro Restaurant and Lounge

Doors were still locked at 5 PM, so I called to tell them they had customers waiting outside. One of the cooks let us in. Promptly seated and served warm rolls. We placed our orders (entrees only) and patiently waited 20 minutes for them to arrive. My salmon was very flavorful and my partner's skirt steak was perfect. Both were nice large portions and VERY delicious. There was an odd smell in the room and the proprietor eventually showed up and turned up the heat. We will definitely return to sample the rest of the eclectic menu.

I heard nothing but good things about this place, so decided to take the drive from Brooklyn last Friday night. I entered, with two friends around 9pm and found a live band... which was great! Instead of sitting down for dinner, we decided the enjoy the show at the bar and get our food there.

Too bad we never got to taste the food because of the lackluster service at the bar. My friends and I ordered 3 specality drinks while we looked over the menu... I think 2 purple hazes (which looked a nasty shade of poop) and 1 something else. The bartender, who looked like she had no idea what she was doing, took our order right away but took 6 minutes to give me my drink 5 minutes to give my friend hers, and another 6 minutes to give my other friend hers.

I know it sounds weird, but she literally gave us drinks individually, to the point where I was almost finished my (watered down) drink by the time my last friend got hers. Usually when people get a round of drinks...they get a ROUND of drinks...all at the same time. I immediately knew something was off.

There was noone else buying drinks at that time, so it wasn't like she was extremely busy. It's just that she's inexperienced. I don't know if she was the owner's daughter or what, but she seemed as though she'd rather talk to the bouncer or eat her chicken wings and dumplings (which looked really good) than to do her job.

She made no apologies for the less than prompt bar service and seemed more annoyed that we were annoyed than anything. She went back into her corner and continued to eat her wings, not stopping to check on us once. Once she stopped caring, we stopped caring, so we decided we'd leave where we'd actually get served properly.

We gave her a tip anyway ($4, when normally we would have given way more on a $37 round) and left underappreciated and underwhelmed.

Being a licensed bartender, I'd admit that I am a little hard on barstaff, but I also know what it's like on the other side of the garnishes. That being said, there was no excuse for her inability and she missed out on what could have been a big tab and great tip for her. I can only imagine how many times people have walked out because they were frustrated with how they were served at the bar.

I really want to give this place a try, but if that's their example of good service (on a Friday night, no less), then I highly doubt I'll be returning. Maybe if they have take out.

great food and hospitality.   im looking forward to coming again