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| - I have tried this place twice now and both times the underwhelming service has overshadowed the good food. The overall experience was more ok than a-ok.
Let's start with the high points... Both times I went, my guest and I split the beet salad as an appetizer and it was delicious. The beets and greens were fresh, the goat cheese was delicious and the hazelnuts were perfectly toasted. The presentation was a layer over an oversized square plate. Little touches like the nontraditional presentation just go to show the amount of thought and heart put into the restaurant by the chef and team. For an entree I ordered the Hot Mess (chilaquiles) and my guest ordered the chicken sandwich. Both entrees had amazing flavor that didn't come from just dumping salt as other restaurants may try. Not a single negative about the chicken sandwich. The Hot Mess wasn't too hot...barely above room temperature and the layers of corn tortilla were more stale than anything. Would I order it again though? Yes in hopes that the flaws were a fluke. It was that delicious otherwise.
My second visit was for lunch and this time we got burgers. We had the Niman Ranch and Bleu Niman burgers. Both were cooked perfectly to order and did not disappoint at all. The fries that came alongside were delicious and perfectly seasoned. This time the food was all at the prefect temperature.
Now the service...ugh. Both times I made a reservation on Open Table. Fantastic that Gertrude's offers this! On the first visit (for Sunday brunch) I was told there would be a 20 minute wait when I arrived, so we opted to sit at the bar where there is open seating and we were able to sit immediately. This may have been a mistake. The service was slow and sparse. I don't blame this on poor workers, but on the amount of work that two bartenders had to do to accommodate a bar with easily 12 people sitting there for food and drink service as well as fulfilling the wine/beer/cocktail orders for the restaurant. The bartenders were so busy I almost felt like I was interrupting or disturbing them when I asked for something I needed. On the second visit (for lunch during the week) we were promptly seated with the Open Table reservation. But this time, it took a while to be greeted by our server and for drink orders to be taken. This seemed to be common at the tables around us as well. Service in general was better on the second visit, but still slow and not what one would hope for.
Paying the check wasn't a simple task either time. On the first visit, my card was charged for the wrong check, which was actually cheaper than my check. Of course I spoke up and told the bartender. He apologized and said he had to have his manager adjust the transaction. I didn't realize until a couple days later that the original transaction wasn't actually voided, but their drawer was comped. So my debit card was charged for both transactions. When I called back and spoke to a manager, she was apologetic but seemed to have no urgency in correcting the issue. She told me that it would have to wait until later in the day because I called during their lunch rush and she had to attend to that. Hmmm...you would think this kind of problem might take a little priority. Regardless, the issue was ultimately resolved. On my second visit, I went prepared with cash. When I asked for the check, the server brought the check for the sixtop that was seated 2 tables over. I'm sensing a theme.
Overall...I'd say Gertrude's is worth a visit, but be prepared for a few hiccups along the way. Hopefully as they get on their feet things will improve.
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