I would prefer a straightforward process for paying for my food and providing a suitable tip for the customer service. The additional complexities have necessitated mental effort for a process that should have been simple. I would like to pay for my meal and tip my waitress 20% or accordingly. It appears that the restaurant's operational structure is overly democratic. I’d have a better meal served in North Korea.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 2
Service: 2
Atiya Sample
10-5-25
The staff was very friendly and attentive. The design in the cappuccino was a great touch.
The Verdict: This place provides a laid back vibe and excellent service.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Vic Xrp
READ REVIEWS BEFORE COMING
The food is nothing to boast about. The service is subpar. I don’t understand the idea behind the extra 19% tacked onto the meal and the server needing to ask for an additional tip which is quite humiliating for the server and customer as well. If it works for them, so be it. I won’t be returning to this restaurant. Sort of Scammy and unnecessary. That extra $ is another meal when you put into perspective.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 1
Konstantinos Fatsis
Tried out this place on a wing. Before even sitting down, the waitress tells us the story behind the restaurant (very noble), to wit: How they give people down on their luck, either through a criminal past, drug addiction, homelessness, etc, a shot at redemption through learning a skill set and being given a second chance. Wonderful. We order our food, nothing out of the ordinary or special, and our food takes forever to arrive. We are not talking complex meals, and on Sundays, it turns out they have a limited brunch menu. Meaning, even less things that the staff can be asked to prepare. Had the plates come without pickels and getting extra napkins was tantamount to asking Moses to part the Red Sea. Waited for 20 minutes to get a refill on an Icea Tea that the waitress herself asked if we wanted a refill. Only after she came by the table and we asked for the check, did she remember about the refill. The best part was saves to last. I guess the gimmick is that they automatically add on a “19% Benefits & Equity charge to all orders, which allows us to pay our staff a living wage and provide access to benefits. Tipping is never expected, always appreciated.” So menu states. We then proceed to hear a sob story about how they only get 5% of that mandatory “tip” and how 14% of it goes to not for profit activities. How we don’t have to tip, but that 5% allows them to get health care and higher wages. If we could tip, it would be greatly appreciated, et al. The problem with adding a 19% percent automatic “tip,” however you call it, it removes the incentive for the staff to actually provide good service and earn the tip. Communism at its finest. How about the restaurant pay the staff better wages and provide these benefits directly from their bottom line and allow the consumer to tip based upon the quality of service. The way it is supposed to be. I left the change from $150 as an additional tip because you’re really shamed into paying more after they tell you they inky get 5% of that mandatory charge and they have to share it with everyone. Communism, sound familiar? As Margaret Thacher one said, the problem with socialism is eventually you run out of other people’s money. This business model is fantastic in principle, but horrible in practice and it showed today. They weren’t even busy to warrant the delay in the food arriving or the nonexistent service. Raise your prices and compete against other restaurants where the consumer doesn’t get shamed into leaving what is tantamount to a 35% tip. This place left a sour taste instead of a satisfying experience. It’s distasteful and quite unethical.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 1
Service: 3
Renee Baham
Very cute place. Dreadful service. We waited 40 minutes for our food. My finance ordered a mimosa that didn’t show up until 20 minutes later. Also, $12 for ONE piece of avocado toast? Outrageous, at least give people two slices.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 3
Service: 1
Angelita Gomez
Delicious food, excellent mission, accommodating service. Great stop before seeing a show at The Bushnell
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
T C
We asked to sit outside and was told no we couldn’t because it was booked. When we left, no one was outside. Then, once the bill came, they informed us that there was extra chargers for; benefits & equity plus a revenue share of 5%. There was only 2 of us. Money is not the issue but a heads up would’ve been nice. This is my first time here and I will not be back!!
Sue Storino
Service was extremely slow despite few customers. Food was great.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 2
Sheila Carmon
I love everything about this restaurant to include their mission and what they provide for their employees. It was a wonderful experience and now one of my favorite places. Will definitely be back!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
A Google User
Staff are attentive, polite, and genuinely helpful
OMG what a gastronomical experience and it was worth the 19% equity surcharge to support an organization doing good on the community and providing for their people! We’ve driven by the restaurant for three years and I’m so glad we finally stopped.
My husband and I dropped our son off at college and wanted some fill your belly yumminess before heading north! My husband had pour over coffee and I had a decaf latte then we enjoyed a super decadent banana-chocolate French toast and the best breakfast tacos ever. My husband reported that the FT was delish and very sweet. My tacos were filled with softly scrambled eggs, a pico-type salsa with a little kick, pickled onions and the roasted tortillas tasted homemade. I added turkey sausage that was perfect in the tacos.
I was drawn to the mission of the organization, framed photos of workers, and the waitress who confidentially shared more about the mission. Local and doing good for the community along with excellent food and a pleasant interior made our experience wonderful. Cannot wait to come back for dinner with our son!
Since it was Sunday the grocery store wasn’t open. We asked if could purchase a bottle of Up and Down Rock Bourbon and they accommodated us. Very cool label! We don’t know yet from our son how it tastes!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Patricia Gazzillo
Very cool vibe! Great food and benefits the community.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Michelle P
Castel was great mixologist and bartender! Loved our drinks so good Very well made and balanced All the food we ordered the Hummus so good chicken tacos delicious , mushroom empanadas, sticky ribs all great Will definitely be back!
I would prefer a straightforward process for paying for my food and providing a suitable tip for the customer service. The additional complexities have necessitated mental effort for a process that should have been simple. I would like to pay for my meal and tip my waitress 20% or accordingly. It appears that the restaurant's operational structure is overly democratic. I’d have a better meal served in North Korea.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 2
Service: 2
10-5-25
The staff was very friendly and attentive. The design in the cappuccino was a great touch.
The Verdict: This place provides a laid back vibe and excellent service.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
READ REVIEWS BEFORE COMING
The food is nothing to boast about. The service is subpar. I don’t understand the idea behind the extra 19% tacked onto the meal and the server needing to ask for an additional tip which is quite humiliating for the server and customer as well.
If it works for them, so be it. I won’t be returning to this restaurant. Sort of Scammy and unnecessary. That extra $ is another meal when you put into perspective.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 1
Tried out this place on a wing. Before even sitting down, the waitress tells us the story behind the restaurant (very noble), to wit: How they give people down on their luck, either through a criminal past, drug addiction, homelessness, etc, a shot at redemption through learning a skill set and being given a second chance. Wonderful. We order our food, nothing out of the ordinary or special, and our food takes forever to arrive. We are not talking complex meals, and on Sundays, it turns out they have a limited brunch menu. Meaning, even less things that the staff can be asked to prepare. Had the plates come without pickels and getting extra napkins was tantamount to asking Moses to part the Red Sea. Waited for 20 minutes to get a refill on an Icea Tea that the waitress herself asked if we wanted a refill. Only after she came by the table and we asked for the check, did she remember about the refill. The best part was saves to last. I guess the gimmick is that they automatically add on a “19% Benefits & Equity charge to all orders, which allows us to pay our staff a living wage and provide access to benefits. Tipping is never expected, always appreciated.” So menu states. We then proceed to hear a sob story about how they only get 5% of that mandatory “tip” and how 14% of it goes to not for profit activities. How we don’t have to tip, but that 5% allows them to get health care and higher wages. If we could tip, it would be greatly appreciated, et al. The problem with adding a 19% percent automatic “tip,” however you call it, it removes the incentive for the staff to actually provide good service and earn the tip. Communism at its finest. How about the restaurant pay the staff better wages and provide these benefits directly from their bottom line and allow the consumer to tip based upon the quality of service. The way it is supposed to be. I left the change from $150 as an additional tip because you’re really shamed into paying more after they tell you they inky get 5% of that mandatory charge and they have to share it with everyone. Communism, sound familiar? As Margaret Thacher one said, the problem with socialism is eventually you run out of other people’s money. This business model is fantastic in principle, but horrible in practice and it showed today. They weren’t even busy to warrant the delay in the food arriving or the nonexistent service. Raise your prices and compete against other restaurants where the consumer doesn’t get shamed into leaving what is tantamount to a 35% tip. This place left a sour taste instead of a satisfying experience. It’s distasteful and quite unethical.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 1
Service: 3
Very cute place. Dreadful service. We waited 40 minutes for our food. My finance ordered a mimosa that didn’t show up until 20 minutes later. Also, $12 for ONE piece of avocado toast? Outrageous, at least give people two slices.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 3
Service: 1
Delicious food, excellent mission, accommodating service. Great stop before seeing a show at The Bushnell
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
We asked to sit outside and was told no we couldn’t because it was booked. When we left, no one was outside. Then, once the bill came, they informed us that there was extra chargers for; benefits & equity plus a revenue share of 5%. There was only 2 of us. Money is not the issue but a heads up would’ve been nice. This is my first time here and I will not be back!!
Service was extremely slow despite few customers. Food was great.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 2
I love everything about this restaurant to include their mission and what they provide for their employees. It was a wonderful experience and now one of my favorite places. Will definitely be back!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Staff are attentive, polite, and genuinely helpful
Restaurantji Recommends
Decent food with a vintage vibe.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
Arrival feels calm with New England charm
OMG what a gastronomical experience and it was worth the 19% equity surcharge to support an organization doing good on the community and providing for their people! We’ve driven by the restaurant for three years and I’m so glad we finally stopped.
My husband and I dropped our son off at college and wanted some fill your belly yumminess before heading north! My husband had pour over coffee and I had a decaf latte then we enjoyed a super decadent banana-chocolate French toast and the best breakfast tacos ever. My husband reported that the FT was delish and very sweet. My tacos were filled with softly scrambled eggs, a pico-type salsa with a little kick, pickled onions and the roasted tortillas tasted homemade. I added turkey sausage that was perfect in the tacos.
I was drawn to the mission of the organization, framed photos of workers, and the waitress who confidentially shared more about the mission. Local and doing good for the community along with excellent food and a pleasant interior made our experience wonderful. Cannot wait to come back for dinner with our son!
Since it was Sunday the grocery store wasn’t open. We asked if could purchase a bottle of Up and Down Rock Bourbon and they accommodated us. Very cool label! We don’t know yet from our son how it tastes!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Very cool vibe! Great food and benefits the community.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Castel was great mixologist and bartender! Loved our drinks so good
Very well made and balanced
All the food we ordered the Hummus so good chicken tacos delicious , mushroom empanadas, sticky ribs all great
Will definitely be back!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
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