Thursday, August 26, 2010
Examiner.com: Liberty Tree
I just saw this Examiner.com (NOT the Washington Examiner) review of Liberty Tree. It definitely caught me by surprise. It starts off with "Liberty Tree is amazingly OK," and goes downhill from there. The reviewer slams the service, calling it "terrible." And then he wraps up with this quip "decent food will probably not survive on H Street much longer with new restaurants popping up every month." Now, I've only been to Liberty Tree a handful of times, but I never had bad service. Have others? What do you guys think of this review? Is it fair/accurate? Here are other reviews of local spots written by the same guy.
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25 comments:
I haven't had bad service there.
However, I have had bad seating. Simply put, they have more tables and chairs than their space allows. My S.O. and I arrived one night, and the person seating customers attempted to seat us at chairs on each side of a table where it was just physically impossible to sit down because another (occupied) table prevented the chair from being pulled out. Even if I had somehow managed to squeeze myself into that space, my long hair would have been hanging down into the food of the people behind me.
And the food's been hit or miss. Usually I enjoy it a lot; but occasionally something is way off. For example, one night both of us ordered their salad with seared tuna. The tuna on mine was perfect; but my partner's was not just seared, but well-done all the way through. It might as well have been Chicken of the Sea from a can, it was so well done; flavorless.
I've been amazed that Liberty Tree has gotten such good reviews from other places and people. I gave it a try a month ago and had crappy service and the food was pretty unimpressive. The waiter pretty much ignored us our entire meal, didn't bring the crushed red pepper/garlic/cheese with our pizza (had to ask for it and finally got it ten minutes after receiving the pizza). We asked twice for a check, waited 30 minutes and we're still ignored, and finally had to ask the hostess to go get our check. I don't care about the seating. It's small, whatever. The pizza was unmemorable and the berry crisp tasted like imitation vanilla. Maybe the seafood is better? But I'm just not willing to give it another try after the complete mediocreness of the first time.
I 've gone several times and I 've experienced the strange seating, waiting forever check retrieval, and inconsistent food. Thing is that when the food is good, it's the best lobster roll, cod sandwich, or clam pizza in the city. Most of the time, I a very happy camper there.
I've been there twice and loved the food both times. My companions and I mainly stuck to the seafood options and haven't been disapointed. Desserts were much better than your average DC restaurant dessert. Both times I had servers who seemed very inexperienced so the service was a little awkward, but they were also very attentive and polite so I have no complaints. I definitely plan to return.
Only been once, but I thought the service was fine. Attentive but not TGI Fridays irritatingly intrusive. The ipswich clam roll was alright but the clam chowder was a nightmare in bacon: gummy and way the hell too much bacon. New England clam chowder is supposed to be made with rendered fatback, not bacon. Smoked or cured bacon leaves too much of a baconey taste, one that overpowers the clams. If you're going to use bacon, you should really go easy on it and certainly don't leave more bacon in the soup than clams. Basically, what they gave me was hot bacon ranch dressing soup with some clams at the bottom, which I really have no problem with so long as it's described as such. There were a couple of items that I'm looking forward to try, like the cod and the meatball grinder, but I'm in no hurry.
My partner and I hit Liberty Tree any chance we get. GG and Scott are always super nice and come say hello. We always love the food (OK, there was a mediocre meatball grinder one night but otherwise really enjoy everything). We continue to bring friends by and everybody has loved it across the board. Yes, once or twice we have gotten a new waiter who needs to work their kinks out. If that happens to you, talk to Scott. They are genuinely doing their best to provide a good experience.
Also, their prices kick ass.
Glad they're in the 'hood.
Service was good when I was there.The owner came out and chatted with us for a while, so we definitely weren't abandoned. THe service isn't as intrusive as in a NOVA chain restaurant but I prefer to be left alone for the most part.
I have been there twice and both times the food and service were absolutely fantastic. I must admit that I purposely go during "off" times because we dine with our 3 year old son and he needs to eat at 6:30 or earlier.
I love the clam pizza and the goat cheese and beet salad. YUM.
6th Street Momster
We went on Monday for the first time with friends from out of town. Everybody had a great time. The service was perfect. The food was good. My fiancee's veggie pizza was awesome.
I love how he writes this like he's some sort of consultant (is he?). LT needs this/that/another thing. Rather than stating what is there, he states what "should" be there.
I've been there enough times to form a solid opinion and this place stacks up just as well as any place on H Street. Delicious pizza. Good beer on tap. Friendly, attentive service.
I like having a casual, consistent place on H where I have a variety of choices and don't have to wait forever for a table, esp with Argo in its current state.
There's a blond server who is always there and her service is mediocre at best. She's not very attentive or friendly. For all the times we've gone, we've only had interaction once w/the owner(s). Glenda the hostess is a shining star. I wish she'd serve tables or bartend! While I'm a bit of a stickler when it comes to service, I've never had outright bad service. The food brings us back and the pizza seems to be improving a bit. Did they change the dressing on the chop salad? It seems sweeter than usual. Not as good, but we do love Liberty Tree. Their rigatoni is crazy delish.
Had mostly-excellent food during H Street Restaurant Week, even though it was crowded. Scallops, calamari, & pigs-in-blanket were winners on the apps; the lobster roll was delicious; and the Godfather pizza was very good. The clams casino pizza was a letdown, on the other hand.
But the service was pretty dismal. Yes, it was crowded, but it's not that big, you know?
Liberty Tree is as good as any restaurant out there, especially one that is less than a year old. In my few experiences, the service was a C+ or B-, but not "terrible". And good food makes up for a multitude of sins and my meals have been terrific.
MH
Ive been there a number of times and always enjoyed the food. I have had no issues with the service. Liberty Tree is an extremely welcome addition to our neighborhood.
He thinks Taylor Gourmet has better food than Liberty Tree? That tells me all I need to know.
On my first and only visit about a month ago, I was very disappointed and don't care to go back. The service was terrible and the food was just ok. I rather hop in the car for 8 mins and go to MatchBox. Glad to hear that people actually like this place. I hope Liberty Tree does well!! they won't get my money though
I went to Liberty for the first time two weeks ago. I was extremely excited about the eggs kennebunkport. When we got there we were seated immediately and ordered a round of waters.
When the waitress returned with the waters, she spilled the entire tray (six waters) all over my roommate. This was the best part of my experience.
The food was subpar. Pizza wasn't great and the lobster on my dish was overcooked. The bloody marys were bland. Although we did get a few free ones to make up for the ice-bath.
On paper, the place looks charming, but i will not be going back.
I really like the food people and prices here. I'll agree with the seating issue, but it's really not that bad. Take out pizza is the best in the immediate area.
I've been to LT several times and have enjoyed pretty much everything I've had there. It sounds like a lot of issues have been with the service so I hope they figure that out; I know they're working on getting some patio seating so maybe that will alleviate some of the space issues. I tend to sit at the bar most times (so I can't personally speak to much to table service) but Brenda (behind the bar) and Graig (in the kitchen) have always been prompt, outgoing, and friendly.
I've really enjoyed having them in the neigborhood so I hope a couple bad experiences won't turn people off to LT. I think they have a solid base; they maybe just need to do some fine tuning on consistency.
I was there for H Street Resturant Week. The food was okay and the service just okay as well. For some reason the front of the resturant was hot,not sure if it was the number of people patronizing LT or the system wasnt working. I will try again,I want so much for this place to work.
Its too bad that Liberty Tree was singled out.....as service is terrible pretty much everywhere on H Street. Whether at Sticky Rice dealing with an aloof host or hostess who has no concern about the people entering the restaurant, the crack addict behind the counter at Dangerously Delicious, the attitudey bartender from Argonaut who is temporarily working at HCC, the drunk waitress at Granville Moores......you'd really be hard pressed to find a service industry person who behaves professionally on H St. Not sure if its a result of DC or the management at these establishments.
Just went for the first time this past Friday night. Got one mixed drink, one glass of wine, two apps and two entrees for $60. I thought that was a pretty good deal. Our waitress was pleasant and her service was good but the place wasn't too crowded. Since there is only foodrunners + two waitresses for the whole place I could see how it could get pretty crazy when busy. But I really liked it and will definitely go back!
@Anonymous 12:49
If you feel service is bad everywhere you go have you ever stopped to think that the problem may be with you?
As for Liberty Tree specifically, I've always had great experiences with both food and service, but I agree with those saying the seating is a little tight. But I also understand they need to make the most of the small space they have.
my husband and i went there last week for a spontaneous, late dinner. we were so happy to be seated upon arrival, we hadn't dared hope for that given the waits common elsewhere. my husband was endearllingly fond of the white table cloths and simple, calm decor. we found liberty tree to be wholesome and refreshingly simple. no serious attitude, solid service and solid food. yes, the tables are a little crowded. we shared the grilled scallop appetizer, which was really lovely, with a cream sauce, onions, and roasted corn. my fettucine with clams was delish, and he got a burger. we had a great strawberry shortcake for dessert, and a glass of wine. our tab was less than $60. beat that! we were happy strolling home after a lovely and relaxing meal. we had a great waitress who was blond and very sweet. tough to navigate amongst those tables, its really asking for some spilled drinks.
The food is great. Its a refreshing menu with honest prices. As for the service...ehhh...whatever. How can you offer good service when your cramed in like a sardine. the tables are low, so if you an average/athletic 6 foot tall man...the displeasure of eating in your lap is enough for me to not go back. The table arrangments is a bad game a tetris!
As for the brick oven...it doesnt look brick to me and quite frankly the kitchen looks like a cafateria and id prefer to not look at it while i eat...or drink.
And for the smokers who continue to go from the bar, out the front door and then back in again...i mean come on. how is that going to add value (or class) to your dining experience.
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