Lunch at Soho on George - service at the bar

[Kim WB]

Had a late, solo lunch at the Bar at Soho on George, George Street, New Brunswick.

Had a $7 glass of Australian chardonnay. Highway robbery. The only other chard was a Calif, $14 a glass.

When I arrived, one other person was a tht ebar, an apparant pal of the female bartenders. She ordered soup only, whcih came with bread, a few chunks of cheese, and butter. I also ordered the soup, a great Seafood Bisque, creamy without being cloying, with plump grilled shrimp. However, I didn't get a spoon, napkin, bread or butter, without doing hte little "bartender wave". I also ordered the Lobster club on brioche. While this is a well balanced and tasty sanswhich, with warm lobster layered with fresh greens, smoky bacon, sliced cherry tomatoes and a herbal mayo, it had a strange bite to it. I even took the half apart, trying to identify tha ttaste. Finally, I turned the sandwhich over...burnt brioche! At least when I try to pull a fast one on my kids in the morning, I scrape the blackest parts off and try to cover it with lots of butter. The gaufrette chips were bland and totally unsalted. And then, Irealized I had no S and P, so I had to flag her down again...her friend was joined by two others who placed a to go order.

It took a while to get my check, and I was not happy. I felt like the invisible patron. When she returned my card and the slip to tip and sign, I felt like asking her how much the woman next to me spent..$5..$7? And how bout the to go order...did she get a tip on that? Because since she ws so busy with them, and ignoring me ( there were only 4 people at the bar...me,and the threesome) , my tip was going to reflect that.

Then, I thought it through. I will be working in New Brunswick until Nov 5, and I do enjoy the food there. So if I confronted her or the manager, was I biting off my nose to spite my face?

I tipped her $ 4 on a $26 check. And I'm going to Stage Left tomorrow..if they are open for lunch. Plus I like Scechaun Gourmet, too.

[Lreda]

Very frustrating. I understand. Give them another shot. Did you catch the bartender's name? If it's worthwhile to you, perhaps call in advance and see who's behind the bar the next time you want to go and if it's someone different go because you like the food.

Horrible thing for a owner to get pegged down because a server's having a bad day. No excuse, but give it another shot and you can blame it on management.

[GordonCooks]

I tipped her $ 4 on a $26 check.  And I'm going to Stage Left tomorrow..if they are open for lunch.  Plus I like Scechaun Gourmet, too.

What would you have left for good service ?

[Helena Robinson]

And I'm going to Stage Left tomorrow..if they are open for lunch.

I believe Stage Left is open for lunch on Fridays only, but I also believe there's a bar menu as well. Might want to call ahead and confirm.

Also, The Frog And The Peach serves lunch.

[Rosie]

Other options

Harvest Moon Brewery

Old Man Rafferty's

Teresa's

Toscana, 367 George St,

Zafra Vegetarian Restaurant, 46 Paterson St,

[Kim WB]

Other options

Harvest Moon Brewery

Old Man Rafferty's

Teresa's

Toscana, 367 George St,

Zafra Vegetarian Restaurant, 46 Paterson St,

Gordon, 20%, always. Years of waitressing!

Rosie,

Yes, I checked out Stage left today, so something to lool forward to tomorrow!

Harvest Moon- last few visits, unimpressed witht eh food

Rafferty's too loud, crowded. I'm working at ta campaign office with 20 year olds, I need 40 minutes with a glass of wine, real food and a grown up atmosphere.

Teresa's- I'd have t move the car, too far to walk! It's on Easton Ave, right?

Toscana- will check it out

Zafra- liquor license?

I've never been a big Frog and Peach Fan, but I'm so close, it is certainly time to give them another try, people I respect so much RAVE about them. I'll report.

It's been a fun side note of this campaign to have a New Brunswick adventure every day. By Nov 5, I'll know them all!

[Helena Robinson]

Well, Kim...

Yes, Teresa's would be a hike, if the campaign office is where I think it might be (by Tumulty's, right?).

We weren't quite sure where we were going to dine before tonight's George St. performance. Our original intent was to try out Toscana, but we didn't see anything on the menu posted on the window that really enticed us, so I suggested peeking in on Soho and then Safra. If nothing there "grabbed us," we'd go back to Toscana.

We ended up at Soho - and probably had the best experience we've had at that establishment in a long time!

First of all, we were amazed that we were able to get in without a reservation, but probably just beat the crowd; as there were a few tables set for large parties. For a change, we actually got the bottle of wine we ordered on the first try. (We had two consecutive visits when we ordered the exact same zin, only to learn that we'd been given an old list. OK, but these visits were MONTHS apart!)

I'll review my notes and post details tomorrow.

[Rosie]

I think the vegetarian is BYO but am not sure. Zafra 46 Paterson St New Brunswick 732-214-1005

[GordonCooks]

Gordon, 20%, always. Years of waitressing!

Well done - I think NY'ers are up to 20-25% just to be a "good" tipper, not even a "great" one.

Bartenders (even ex-ones as I) are worse when it's slow. I think they need a little action to get into the groove.