Rock and Rye Tavern

Synopsis:
ZERO for BAD service and for Neglectful wait staff.  Service was ULTRA Slow cuz there were only 2 servers for the night.  No bartender or  bussers to assist.  Probably only ONE person or house elf in the kitchen cooking all the meals.  

Long version:
We walked in and the hostess/wait staff saw us. She proceeded to seat people ahead of us, but never came back for us. Waited for several minutes.

*Waiting*Waiting*Hello? Anybody home?* Finally, a male staff came out to give us a table.

Got menus and drinks. Waited another 20 minutes or so. Sat there *twirl thumbs* felt neglected and forgotten (Sat in the middle of the main dining room. Hard to miss us.   Plus, we were the only people w/out bread basket or food.).

*Waiting*Waiting*Looking around Trying to get waiter's attention*More Waiting*Trying not to pass out from starvation*

We could see that they were busy. Only 2 wait staff (one of them was the hostess who ignored us) taking orders and making drinks.  No bartender or bussers in sight.  

*Waiting*Waiting*Eating our fingers*Getting ready to eat the table*

Saw what other ppl ordered and we're salivating.  Read reviews from other Yelpers about 'slow service.'  Add 'forgotten' and 'neglected' to the list.  Seriously?! To be forgotten by our server?  This is a restaurant not an orphanage.

Couldn't wait any longer. Didn't want to order and wait another 3 hrs for food.  Paid for our drinks and left. Didn't even get a chance to try the food.  We're starving!!!

Do not misunderstand. We do not mind the wait, especially for good food. We understand the challenges of accommodating large dinner crowds with just 2 servers.  However, we have dined at several popular and busy restaurants where there is a long wait, and staff always checked-in on us (or at least acknowledged us). No efforts were made here. Poorly run business.  Very disappointed.  

No hard feelings.  We took our starving selves and money elsewhere.

I really love this place.  I've been here over a dozen times and the food is consistent, tasty and local.  You can sit outside in a great garden setting in the middle of the summer and dine on a steak from cows up the street, or sit inside next to the fire in the winter and have a great burger made from local beef.  Sometimes I will just get a couple small plates (mussels, sliders, pork belly) and a few beers for my whole meal.  Excellent cocktail list, second to none.  Great beers on tap too.

The hostess was extremely accommodating, what was originally a 7:45 reservation was moved up to 7:20 so that the rest of our party would be able to get back on the road at a decent hour.

The restaurant transports you back, with its  typical Hugenot stonework facade from the 1700's. You are essentially walking into an updated version of what the tavern once was hundreds of years ago; With fireplaces, exposed beams, crown-moulding, and a lovely bar in what I imagine what may have been the old parlour or drawing room at one time. Both dining rooms were full, with diners' faces lit by candlelight in conversation, great surroundings and ambiance. Our service was awesome too, Jackie was gracious and charming, she took great care of us and created one of the best dining experiences we've had in awhile.

For the most part, we stuck with water, except for my BF who ordered the Captain Lawrence IPA on draught. The draught and bottled selection is top notch, as is the mixed-drink selection which was undoubtedly dreamt up by a mixologist with an affinity for the prohibition-era classics (think Gin fizz, Gimlets, etc.). For an appetizer we ordered the panko-crusted portobello steak fries, which were enough to satisfy our table of four. psssst--THEY ARE AMAZING!

I ordered the pan-seared sea scallops over spaghetti squash with a pumpkin ragout. It was exceptionally delicious. The three scallops were perfectly cooked and seasoned and the whole plate was so well-balanced and creative. The spaghetti squash was such an interesting pairing and made just soupy enough by the pumpkin ragout (what I assume was some broth, oil, and reduced pumpkin pulp and seeds). The few roasted pumpkin seeds to offered a perfect crunch. I cannot say enough how it far surpassed how delicious I thought a scallops dish could ever be. (PS- this is an appetizer, but was just enough food together with the portobello steak fries and complimentary bread).

The rest of my table was extremely happy with their dishes as well: Monkfish stew with seasonal veggies, which included fractal/Romanesco cauliflower (this was a special), Pork-belly sliders with a fruit (I want to say pomegranate?) chutney and Acorn squash with leeks, chickpeas and a balsamic drizzle. The latter, I tasted myself and the acorn squash was again, perfectly cooked and both sweet and savory (think: healthiest comfort food ever). Its also nice to note that the majority of the ingredients and meat are locally sourced. This is a farm to table restaurant that really gets it right, the flavors are elegant, service is great, and the ambiance is spirited.