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| - OK, here goes. Had I written this review after my first experience I would have given it a 5 PLUS star rating. Unfortunately the second time was not up to the first. I will start by saying that we had a reservation. When we arrived 3 or our party of 4 were there and our 4th was stuck in traffic. The hostess said we could not be seated until the 4th was present. OK, reasonable! We then said then we will go up to the bar and wait for him......NO, you cant do that. OK, then just take us to our table, that was reserved, and we will get started on appetizers and drinks. Hmmmm, sorry that doesnt work! After a bit of back and fourth the hostesses agreed to escort us to our table. When we arrived to the "second story" there was barely a table occupied and the bar was available. Seriously, what was the problem. Not only was the restaurant not full, tables remained unoccupied for our entire dinner. As we sat outside trying to figure out why we couldnt be seated we assumed that the restaurant must be packed and the kitchen backed up and they were surely stalling us. NOT the case. Very strange and was not the best start to our evening. Keep in mind we had talked this place up based on our first experience.
OK, now for the service and the food. Service, outside of the incompetent hostesses, was BEYOND exceptional! Knowledgeable. friendly, understood the food and were confidant making recommendations. The food this time around was good, just not the great food we had the first time around. I couldnt wait to have the charcuterie board again, as it was one of the best we had ever had. It was still good, but was certainly less plentiful and the quality of the ingredients was not what I was promising our friends to be AMAZING. I had the short ribs and somehow I believe the chef completely neglected to salt the meat at all, which made for a disappointing dinner. Fortunately two people had the duck and loved it. Overall the meal was good, but the experience as a whole was a bit disappointing.
All said I will give Second Story Liquor Bar another chance because there really isnt anything else like this place in Scottsdale!
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