rev:text
| - I wanted to really like The Wren, I really did. But I gotta say, in between the mouthwatering beer offerings, the much raved grub, and the beaten-to-death laminated food menu, service can be.. uh.. spotty.
Always popular, always packed is a common theme for this Danforth diner since it opened. And it was even featured on "You Gotta Eat Here" on the Canadian Food Network. It's only now that I have gotten a chance to come and snag a seat and see for myself why I gotta eat here.
But I gotta say, it seems the level of service afforded to you depends where you sit. Of course you are unmissable sitting at the bar. It's when you are at the front window when staff attention drops to nearly zero. Amongst the chaos of an average Friday evening, where people do queue up inside for an open table, they actually thought for more than 10 minutes I was waiting for other people, no wonder I was menu-less for so long! It wasn't just me struggling for a server--a couple beside me took a few tries to snag someone so they can get some food finally. Maybe they need to zone out their space, I dunno--several staff were playing host, it was all over the place.
The 'Uncle Buck Burger' ($16) I settled for was stacked with a large beer battered onion ring, which had this interesting smoky caramel flavour to it. A bitty bit of Thousand Islands dressing added, it was not very effective. It was alright, not as mindexpanding as anticipated but bit of a beast to eat, and comes with some very crispy crisp fries.
The Wren has a varied patron base of different age groups reflective of one big part of the Danforth community... and maybe a few greasy foodies thrown in there somewhere. They may have a reputation for interesting grilled comfort foods, but still needs to work on handling a busy night effectively, lest I feel like a true poltergeist.
{TTC: around the corner from Greenwood subway station}
|