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| - There are so many things I really like about Hearthstone. Unfortunately, the things I do not like cloud the experience there. In spite of the major issue I have with Hearthstone, I will definitely come back. It's the kind of place I want to work. And the issue is incredibly "fixable."
The issue is the service. The employees are very kind and accommodating. My issue is not with the staff but with the system of service. Let me say this was my second meal at Hearthstone and the service during the first meal was abysmal. But the restaurant was new and I was looking forward to getting back to see what changes had been made. While their service has progressed by leaps and bounds, there are still some confusing missteps that keep this place from being an excellent venue.
It begins when you call. I called a few times the same day (for different reasons) and each time the phone was answered with an informal yet relatively friendly, "Hello." I was taken aback each time and had to ask on the last call if I had even reached the business. I don't know the last time I made a reservation and did not hear the name of the business. It's an odd experience to have to say, "Is this Hearthstone?"
Then there were issues at the hostess stand. The hostess was friendly and sorted everything out, but there were very serious communication issues at the hostess stand during our first visit as well. This seems to be an area they need to tighten up. We arrived on time for our reservation and were content to wait at the hostess stand to be helped. While we were waiting for the hostess to return another couple stepped behind us. After a few minutes, the man behind us become frustrated and went to go find the hostess. When he returned with the hostess behind him, she apologized to him and his guest and was preparing to seat them without even acknowledging us. We had to tell her that we had been waiting longer and expected to be seated first. She apologized (this time to us) and seated us.
When we sat down we were promptly forgotten and had to ask a manager for menus. People seated some time after us were ordering food by the time we received a menu. Not a huge deal and the waiter was very kind. But it was another odd glitch in service that just doesn't serve this space well.
Once we made contact with our waiter, service was fantastic and we enjoyed our experience. The space has the earthy/industrial vibe that so many places have. But they marry it well with Italian country kitchen touches so that it feels less industrial and more warm. It feels good to be in there. And they get lots of light, so an early dinner means you will enjoy plenty of natural light even if you are not sitting on the patio.
The menu is simple/rustic and thoughtful. Lots of flatbreads, charcuterie, and small bites appetizers make for varied options when ordering. We tasted the meat and cheese board, deviled eggs, roasted broccoli, arugula salad, baked ricotta (OUTSTANDING), marinara flatbread, and popcorn. Everything was very tasty and well prepared. I love that they let the simple ingredients shine. Of all the dishes we enjoyed, only one (deviled eggs) did not reach its potential.
I like the tapas/small plates explosion because it allows people to try more dishes without having to commit to a large portion. The menu at Hearthstone is one of their strengths. It is simple and I love that the offerings all "go together". You can order a few of the small bites, a few appetizers, a flatbread, and a main course and feel a sort of cohesion to the food and ingredients. Unlike some tapas places, the food items here are generally familiar. They take simple ingredients and prepare them thoughtfully with a small (and very safe) twist. For example, you have had ricotta cheese before, no doubt. You may not have had ricotta with truffle honey and gouda on toast. Hearthstone offers this delectable dish I want to return for.
Overall: The food is simple, well prepared, rustic(ish), and most importantly, tasty. If they weren't also attempting (like most restaurants) to offer an experience, I would ONLY judge them on the food. But they are and I can't. I have to look at the totality of my experience at Hearthstone and say that they have the potential to be a really great local restaurant. The service issues are "small" but consistent and frequent. And unfortunately those issues take away from my experiences with the appetizing food at Hearthstone.
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