So 800 plus of my colleagues are visiting the QC for our annual Chef's conference. An old friend and chef asks us to join her at 5 Church on a Tuesday night at 7. I'm looking forward to catching up and trying this place for a second time, since the first was for lunch and was just okay.
We were escorted to our table on time. The waiter did some research on our friend and creepily told her where she was from, who she worked for and what she did for a living. He up-played that she was also a chef and that he had high expectations of himself to serve her. (Is it getting smoky in here?). He then told us his work biography, like why should we be hearing this? So I asked what the specials were for the night. He left to get beverages.
I really like the chairs at the tables. They do not look comfortable but they are nice.
Our waiter told us about portion sizes and servings for apps, and was very knowledgable. We enjoyed the pieroghis, though the dough was a bit thick; the hummus was just that; and the pork belly sliders were tender but too much bread. Would have been better a top of a crouton and called an open faced slider.
We placed our order for entrees.
My wife and our friend ordered a salad with country ham; I order duck in mole sauce. A little slow in service but the salads are served in less than 10 minutes. They are kindly waiting for my entree to start eating but no entree! After 5 more minutes our server apologizes to us stating he did not fire my entree but will be right out. A total of 20 minutes pass and they serve me. Strangely it looks nothing like duck or any sign of mole sauce. Of course no one to be found to ask so I tell the others to please start eating and, embarrassed, go find my server who is talking to the manager. I tell them that they served me the wrong item and that I did not want to cause a scene in front of our friend/host, and to please just remove the entree w/o any questions. They pleaded with me that they will have the duck served immediately with apologies. I cave in.
Upon returning to the table my wife and friend stopped eating; my duck was served. They said the salad tasted like some one had shaken a salt shaker over it(and both of them love country ham). My entree was luke warm. Manager told us that they would comp my entree. When the bill was presented to our host, it was not taken off the bill.
No desserts ordered. Spoke to the manager when leaving and gave him my business card. Never heard a thing from him. Would have been a nice touch inviting back for something to be hospitable.
Went home for snacks.
Lucky they got 3 stars.
You take your chances if you go there.