288 East Main Rd., Middletown, RI
Overall, this new area restaurant did not meet my expectations. I have visited 3 times since they opened and have not been fully satisfied.
First trip:
My wife and I decided to try this new place out for lunch. I ordered the California Avocado Sandwich. The sandwich is as follows: Ripe Avocado Slices with Lettuce, Tomato, Red Onion, Provolone Cheese and Dill Sauce on Tomato Onion Focaccia for $6.39. My wife ordered the Tangy Roast Beef Sandwich. This sandwich is as follows: Roast Beef with Horseradish Cheddar Cheese, Lettuce, Tomato, Red Onion, Spicy Mustard and Mayonnaise on a French Baguette for $6.39. My sandwich was good. It contained a generous amount of avocado and the half-focaccia that it came on was quite flavorful. The roast beef sandwich would probably have been good as well, but apparently the people behind the counter don’t know that there is more than 1 red meat. They made up the correct sandwich with the right bread and toppings, but used pastrami instead. Now, anyone who has ever purchased luncheon meat or eaten pastrami knows how different they are. Apparently, neither of these traits are required for employment.
Second trip:
I wanted a supplement to my lunch, so I figured I would try out their bread-like products. I knew they had an asiago bagel ($0.75) and that sounded like it would hit the spot. Some coworkers had placed a phone order, so I went with them to get my bagel when they picked up their food. They proceeded to the big sign that says, "Pick-up Orders" (or possibly "Order Pickup), while I walked over to the bakery/coffee register. As I ordered my bagel, my coworkers appeared behind me sans food. Apparently, for phone orders, you go to the bakery register to pick them up, but there is no sign indicating this. Upon my return to work, I sat down to eat lunch. I pull out my bagel and am disappointed by the look of it. All the cheese (what little there was) had apparently slid into the center of the bagel-hole. After a bite, I am even less impressed. It seems as if they use an egg-based dough. I guess that is OK, but I didn’t really want a plain egg bagel, I wanted a regular asiago bagel. To complete my disappointment, it looked like a bagel, but didn’t have the boiled-then-baked bagely goodness that I was hoping for. At least it was only 75 cents.
Third (and final for a while) trip:
Again, my wife and I met for lunch. She ordered the minestrone soup for $3.29 and I ordered a chicken salad sandwich for $5.39. The total cost ended up at $10.45, which seemed a little high, but I figured I had just misread the menu. upon paying, I get my receipt and my wife goes to sit down. I look at the slip to double check the price with the menu on the wall. As I look up, I see that my sandwich is listed at $5.39, but I have been charged $6.39. Upon closer inspection, I notice that the item on the receipt is not chicken salad, but a Bella grilled chicken sandwich. I proceed back to the register to get my order corrected. The cashier who took my order seemed confused at the difference between chicken salad and grilled chicken, so I had to explain it to her twice, using the menu as a prop. After we achieved comprehension, she walked to the food assemblers, talks with them for a minute and returns and says, "Ok, you’re all set." I look at her and say, "Uhh, the chicken salad is 1 dollar cheaper." Again, she walks over to the food prep area, then she walks over to the bread register, then back to the food prep area, and finally back to me. She looks me square in the eyes and says, "Its only a dollar. We’re really busy. If you sit down I will bring it to you later." So I go sit down and wait for our order. Our food beeper goes off and I get the food and after a couple minutes, she comes out and drops exactly $1.00 on the table and walks off. I sit there looking at my dollar thinking that its not worth it to bother pointing out that there was tax on that dollar. My wife, on the other hand, did not have that opinion. She went up and got my $0.08 and talked to the supervisor. That turned out to be a good thing because as we finished our meal, the supervisor put a bag down on the table with 2 cookies in it for free. At least they are willing to correct mistakes and try to make good on them. Overall, I would say that the layout and decor of the restaurant was pleasant and warm with a very clean feel to it. There is a nice fireplace in the corner with a couch. The location is convenient and there is ample parking. The menu is somewhat varied and the prices are similar to other area sandwich shops. They have a nice selection of breads and coffees. The cashier service was about average, but the food was prepared quickly. Hopefully, as the employees gain experience, the restaurant will improve.
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