I found my first experience eating here was okay. The restaurant was small and I was in a group of 6. Because were a large group, the servers let us know that there is a mandatory 18% tip applied to the bill.
As a first time patron, the menu was overwhelming. The dish names were vague and the descriptions were just a long list of ingredients. Without my friends giving recommendations, I would have been lost. Looking at the menu, and how so many ingredients listed, it almost seems like the restaurant charges based on how many ingredients there are. Even sides are an extra cost. The Buddha baby bowl for instance has marinated tofu, sauce and basic salad ingredients for $10.50 (Overpriced). They also sell 12oz candy apple juice for $11.50 (A grande 12oz starbucks frapaccino is $4.50). I do like their glass bottles though.
My Order:
Squash taco $9
I Shared:
Chipotle bacon burger $11.50
Fresh Gingerale $6.00
One dish without sides was enough to fill me up and then some. It was surprising but makes me think maybe prices are warranted (maybe not).
The squash taco was light and fresh tasting. The fried breaded squash was sweet and crunchy with the plain salad and tortilla. Adding lime juice and spice really brought it to life. Once in a while, I didn't get a bite of the squash and the salad on its own was disappointing.
The burger was dense and not very flavourful. I don't often eat veggie burgers but this did not impress. The chipotle mayo was mostly creamy and slightly spicy. The patty was slightly sweet and mushy. The "bacon" I couldn't find? The rest of the ingredients were very neutral in flavour. It was bland.
The fresh ginger ale was very intense. The strong spice of the ginger and strong sour citrus taste was too much for me. We needed to ask for a pot of agave to balance out the sourness and even then you need a gulp of water afterward.
The service was okay, taking orders and busing were good; there was mostly someone available to help; no difficulties splitting the bill. I am not quite sure why they would force a mandatory tip rule. Just because of a few extra people in a party. Besides pushing a few tables together and splitting the bill, I don't think there is a difference serving 2 groups of 3 or serving 1 group of 6. I didn't like it when I found out that the 18% tip was split evenly for each patron. It should have been proportionate to how much each person ordered.