Seasoned Breakfast Potatoes
The National Exemplar

The National Exemplar

6880 Wooster Pike, 45227, Cincinnati, US, United States

Wine • Pasta • Chicken • American


"I have to say, my husband and I have LOVED this place for years. We come to stay at Mariemont a couple times a year and The National Exemplar is the biggest reason for that. Last night was the first negative experience we've had here. The service was absolutely terrible for us. There was a young lady that waited on us. When we ordered my husband specifically asked if they had A1 steak sauce. The girl told us she wasn't sure. They had it the last time we were there several months ago. She never came back to let us know either way so I assumed they did. We both ordered filets. When another young man brought our food out, my husband asked again. The young man said no they did not, but there was bordelaise sauce on it. We would not have left because they did not have it, but he would've ordered something different. I love their bordelaise sauce, but he is just partial to his A1. And unfortunately, not having it makes it not as good for him. After that, the waitress did come over a few seconds later, we said everything was fine. We ate our dinner and did not see her again. We ran out of our drinks, which there is no excuse for. After we were done eating completely she came back and I asked for a couple new cokes please. When she brought them out, she removed our straws with her hands, never asking me to remove my own and put them in the new cokes. I truly hope that is not common practice. The wait staff should never be touching someone's straw. I just asked for the check at that point. She brought it out, but did not come to pick it up. I wanted to place a Togo dessert order but felt it was futile to try. Eventually, an older woman, possibly the manager came to our table and took our check. We do not mind paying for exceptional food, but that should also include exceptional service. We were very disappointed with the unfriendly and unpleasant attitude of someone who is supposed to be making our dining experience better. I hope she was just having a bad day and that this is not how she serves all her customers. Service: Dine in Meal type: Dinner Price per person: $100+ Food: 5 Service: 1 Atmosphere: 5 Recommended dishes: Mushroom Soup"

The Bistro And Conservatory At Goodstone

The Bistro And Conservatory At Goodstone

36205 Snake Hill RdVA 20117, Middleburg, United States

Wine • Fish • French • Coffee


"My boyfriend and I had the 6 course tasting menu. We arrived just after 6:30 and one of the first tables to be seated. Goodstone takes slow eating to an extreme. We were one of the last tables to leave at 10:30 pm. Courses were 30 minutes apart, and I think this was on purpose and not because the kitchen was too busy. All the other tables seemed to gotten the fixed price meal and were in and out. After a while, I was tired and a little bored (not a statement against my boyfriend but it’s a long time just to be sitting there). The waiter even noticed and apologized. Perhaps if it was a large group of people, this would have been acceptable timing. But for 2 people, 4 hours was extreme and I wish I had known before selecting the tasting menu. Other than the timing, the meal was lovely. The wine list was extensive and I found the perfect wine for the evening. (At $110 a bottle, I tried to make it last through the evening, which was difficult at 4 hours). The beet salad was a nice start. My favorite was the sunchoke soup and slow poached lobster. The flavors were amazing. The pheasant was good, but a little dry. Loved the croquette that accompanied the meal, wish there was more than one. The P’tit Basque cheese course was delicious. The apple cake for dessert was a little difficult to cut with a fork, and they had taken the knives away. (So it wasn’t melt in your mouth moist but good). I loved the little extra chocolates they gave at the end. It was delicious! So was the oyster at the beginning. I struggled with the rating as the whole timing made the evening drag on and the food seemed underwhelming towards the end. Perhaps a warning that the tasting menu would take so long would have changed our minds."