As other reviews have mentioned, the hostess has a nasty attitude. We walked in and were not greeted by the several waitstaff standing around both outside and inside. To the point that we wondered if we were entering the restaurant in the right place as we were being completely ignored. Two women stood inside at the host stand, neither of them looked up or acknowledged us. The place was half empty and there was no one else waiting so it felt very intentional. We stood for an awkward couple of moments looking at each other and later both said we should have just walked out as that first interaction set the stage for the rest of the evening. Finally we interrupted their conversation and were shown to our table. The restaurant was so hot, again we almost decided to leave but the waiter came over to take our drink orders so we thought we'd try to stick it out, after all we had driven a long way. The atmosphere is too casual and too loud for the high prices and big attitudes. The drinks were ok. The olive appetizer was a small bowl of olives right out of a jar and had a very strange flavor. The entrees were ok, nothing offensive. I got the panna cotta for dessert and it was inedible, absolutely disgusting. The flavor and texture was very off. Our waiter didn't mention the fact that I didn't touch it and in retrospect I wish I had asked them to take it off the bill. I can forgive an off night in the kitchen but I won't be returning mainly because of the host attitude. Clearly it's an ongoing issue that the restaurant doesn't care to address based on many other reviews.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Miranda Fernandez
Had such a wonderful experience at Swyft in Kent! The food was lovely — I tried the pasta a la vodka which was a little spicier than expected, but still delicious. The drinks were absolutely amazing — we ordered two sour watermelon shooters and had them made into full cocktails, and they were so good! On top of that, the service was excellent and made the whole experience even better. Such a pleasure to dine here — I’ll definitely be back!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Steve Roth
Wow! Food was amazing
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
Chris
I had a very strange and uncomfortable interaction with the hostess that left me questioning whether it had to do with my party’s appearance. We arrived around 7:30 on a Saturday night, it wasn’t particularly busy, and there were clearly open tables both inside and out.
When we asked if any tables were available, the hostess made an odd face, avoided eye contact, and proceeded to scroll through her iPad in a way that felt performative before finally telling us there were no spots. The whole exchange felt unnecessarily awkward and dismissive.
Your website describes Swyft as a casual tavern, yet the treatment we received, possibly due to wearing hiking attire or a t-shirt suggested we didn’t belong. If there’s an unspoken dress code, it should be communicated clearly. I’ve been to many restaurants in CT and New York and I have never been treated so poorly and dismissively.
If this is a matter of staffing, I would suggest you find employees that are more customer service oriented, as that seems to be a reoccurring issue in several other reviews.
If it’s a matter of us being too low class for setting you’re trying to curate, I would suggest reworking the menu to remove the nearly $30 smashburger and the pizza and opt for something less casual.
Ben Smolin
Atrocious attitude from the hostess, stared at the ground while speaking to our group and could not be bothered to make eye contact nor enunciate properly. You get better service at a walmart self checkout.
Mark Owens
Love Swyft’s food though service of late has suffered, the team seems more focused on themselves than the customer.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 2
Recommended dishes: Swyft Smash Burger, Salad of Farm Lettuces, Randy Savage
Philippa Chadwick
Love Swyft! Amazing for dinner or lunch.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
J Brown
Incredible
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Paul Uhlir
I went with friends for a tasting menu dinner at the more upscale restaurant attached to Swyft, the Ore Hill House. It was very good, especially the service. The food was fine, but not great. It was a social occasion so the food was secondary. We spent almost four hours there and had a good time.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 5
Brody
Nice restaurant with really great outdoor seating. The inside has a nice vibe too. The food was probably a bit overpriced for what it is but nevertheless it was a good meal. The staff were all friendly too. Super clean bathroom as well.
My family has been here a few times for brunch. We are always very happy with the food. Staff is always friendly, though a tad bit slow at times. The drinks are thoughtfully concocted. Beautiful interior. You will not regret ordering the French toast. Just do it.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Morgan Lefkowitz
Sat 3 ppl at a 2 person table. The hostess was unwelcoming and unsympathetic when we requested a different table. The table was so small, our plates couldn’t fit, and our waiter struggled to fit everything. There should be an appetizer with the mozzarella on it. Fries were good.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 4
Service: 1
Uche Ejesi
Great service. They were able to accommodate a request/change to the item I ordered, which I was beyond grateful for. Food came out delicious as well. Waitress was genuinely friendly.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Joel Hnatow
Excellent creative wood fired pizza options with good beer / drinks
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
Suzanne Sayers
Loved the vegan pizza! Delicious food, friendly staff and lovely atmosphere, inside and out.
As other reviews have mentioned, the hostess has a nasty attitude. We walked in and were not greeted by the several waitstaff standing around both outside and inside. To the point that we wondered if we were entering the restaurant in the right place as we were being completely ignored. Two women stood inside at the host stand, neither of them looked up or acknowledged us. The place was half empty and there was no one else waiting so it felt very intentional. We stood for an awkward couple of moments looking at each other and later both said we should have just walked out as that first interaction set the stage for the rest of the evening. Finally we interrupted their conversation and were shown to our table.
The restaurant was so hot, again we almost decided to leave but the waiter came over to take our drink orders so we thought we'd try to stick it out, after all we had driven a long way. The atmosphere is too casual and too loud for the high prices and big attitudes.
The drinks were ok. The olive appetizer was a small bowl of olives right out of a jar and had a very strange flavor. The entrees were ok, nothing offensive. I got the panna cotta for dessert and it was inedible, absolutely disgusting. The flavor and texture was very off. Our waiter didn't mention the fact that I didn't touch it and in retrospect I wish I had asked them to take it off the bill.
I can forgive an off night in the kitchen but I won't be returning mainly because of the host attitude. Clearly it's an ongoing issue that the restaurant doesn't care to address based on many other reviews.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Had such a wonderful experience at Swyft in Kent! The food was lovely — I tried the pasta a la vodka which was a little spicier than expected, but still delicious. The drinks were absolutely amazing — we ordered two sour watermelon shooters and had them made into full cocktails, and they were so good! On top of that, the service was excellent and made the whole experience even better. Such a pleasure to dine here — I’ll definitely be back!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Wow!
Food was amazing
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
I had a very strange and uncomfortable interaction with the hostess that left me questioning whether it had to do with my party’s appearance. We arrived around 7:30 on a Saturday night, it wasn’t particularly busy, and there were clearly open tables both inside and out.
When we asked if any tables were available, the hostess made an odd face, avoided eye contact, and proceeded to scroll through her iPad in a way that felt performative before finally telling us there were no spots. The whole exchange felt unnecessarily awkward and dismissive.
Your website describes Swyft as a casual tavern, yet the treatment we received, possibly due to wearing hiking attire or a t-shirt suggested we didn’t belong. If there’s an unspoken dress code, it should be communicated clearly. I’ve been to many restaurants in CT and New York and I have never been treated so poorly and dismissively.
If this is a matter of staffing, I would suggest you find employees that are more customer service oriented, as that seems to be a reoccurring issue in several other reviews.
If it’s a matter of us being too low class for setting you’re trying to curate, I would suggest reworking the menu to remove the nearly $30 smashburger and the pizza and opt for something less casual.
Atrocious attitude from the hostess, stared at the ground while speaking to our group and could not be bothered to make eye contact nor enunciate properly. You get better service at a walmart self checkout.
Love Swyft’s food though service of late has suffered, the team seems more focused on themselves than the customer.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 2
Recommended dishes: Swyft Smash Burger, Salad of Farm Lettuces, Randy Savage
Love Swyft! Amazing for dinner or lunch.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Incredible
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I went with friends for a tasting menu dinner at the more upscale restaurant attached to Swyft, the Ore Hill House. It was very good, especially the service. The food was fine, but not great. It was a social occasion so the food was secondary. We spent almost four hours there and had a good time.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 5
Nice restaurant with really great outdoor seating. The inside has a nice vibe too. The food was probably a bit overpriced for what it is but nevertheless it was a good meal. The staff were all friendly too. Super clean bathroom as well.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
My family has been here a few times for brunch. We are always very happy with the food. Staff is always friendly, though a tad bit slow at times. The drinks are thoughtfully concocted. Beautiful interior. You will not regret ordering the French toast. Just do it.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Sat 3 ppl at a 2 person table. The hostess was
unwelcoming and unsympathetic when we requested a different table. The table was so small, our plates couldn’t fit, and our waiter struggled to fit everything. There should be an appetizer with the mozzarella on it. Fries were good.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 4
Service: 1
Great service. They were able to accommodate a request/change to the item I ordered, which I was beyond grateful for. Food came out delicious as well. Waitress was genuinely friendly.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Excellent creative wood fired pizza options with good beer / drinks
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
Loved the vegan pizza! Delicious food, friendly staff and lovely atmosphere, inside and out.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Loading...