The Katharine Brasserie & Bar

Sadly really gone downhill

Atmosphere: 1

Food: 1

Service: 1

The 1 star is for the Atmosphere.
As a restaurant with so many great reviews, I honestly don’t understand how.Maybe it’s the ambiance. Maybe it’s the live music on Thursday nights. But that’s where the positives ended for me.

This was not only my first time visiting this restaurant, but also my first time in Winston-Salem. After a long day of training, our group of more than 20 people arrived around 6:30 PM. We were split across four tables, which I completely understand for a group our size.

Our server eventually made it around to take drink orders, but that’s when things started going downhill. It took nearly two hours for everyone to receive their drinks. I’m not exaggerating.

When we asked if we could at least start ordering food since we’d already been waiting so long, we were told that food orders would not be taken until all drinks had been served. At that point, everyone was exhausted from traveling and a full day of training, and we all had an early start the next morning.

I finally asked to speak with a manager and requested that we be allowed to place our food orders. To his credit, he immediately came over and began taking orders himself, which I appreciated.

What I don’t understand is why a party of that size wasn’t assigned multiple servers or staff experienced in handling large groups.

Unfortunately, the problems continued. Some people received their food within about 45 minutes of ordering. The rest of us didn’t receive ours until after 9:30 PM.Then the food wasn’t even correct.

Three of us ordered the flat iron steak with different side selections. Instead, we were served filet mignon and Steak au Poivre neither of which we ordered. After waiting hours for food, most people simply accepted whatever was brought to the table because they were hungry and ready to leave.

My plate arrived covered in gravy with a medium-rare steak, and by that point I had completely lost my appetite.

Maybe this restaurant performs better with smaller groups, but based on my experience, the evening was overwhelmingly disappointing. Between the excessive wait times, poor communication, and incorrect orders, it simply wasn’t worth it.

For a fraction of the cost and a much smoother experience, you could grab your favorite fast food meal and enjoy it outside.

This just wasn’t it.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 1

Service: 1

Amazing dining experience. Good food, great service, good portion size, delicious drinks, all of it. Menu is SUPER allergen friendly, I have celiac and did not get glutened, much appreciated.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Amazing food and drinks. A little his (old fashion with Rabbit Hole Rye) and hers ( Grey Goose Dirty Martini) paired with a delicious meat and cheese board.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

This place was nice, service was good very professional! Drinks were good, food was good, shared a bunch of things w friends, oysters, burgers, steak fries. Desserts are great!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Came here originally for lunch, I asked my server if they had Caymus or Prisoner by the glass and she did not know which was fine. But she was a bit rude about it. I asked for a glass of house cab next. She was extremely slow with bringing it over with only myself and another couple sitting across the restaurant. Almost like she didn't want to serve me.

Atmosphere: 1

Food: 1

Service: 1

My experience here was lackluster. I was hoping to enjoy this place, especially because the jazz band was excellent and the menu offerings were great, unfortunately I consistently felt like an afterthought.

I stood briefly at the front and when I noticed the hostesses were not going to welcome me I sat at the bar, and did not feel warmly welcomed. The gentleman who gave me the menus, did not return for my order. Another waiter came and took my order, which was a bit confusing, but fine. After ordering my entree, no one came to check on how the meal was or if I needed anything. The dishes and my empty glassware weren’t cleared in a timely manner: after 20 minutes of waiting, I had to scoot my plate to the drink serving area adjacent to me whereupon it was promptly cleared.

I had to ask for the desert menu, after which one of the waitresses kindly answered my questions, and the chocolate desert was delicious.

I had great conversations with one of the waitresses , and another waiter who explained one of the sides for me.

Advice to management: please do not neglect service at the bar, I wanted to treat myself to a nice dinner and was severely underwhelmed by the service.

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 4

Service: 2

We always enjoy Katherine's, but we have been there so often that we'd like to see more variety in the menu.

The restaurant crammed in too many tables, so there was a lot of noise and it was hard to have a conversation. The service was very slow.

We had a wonderful Easter brunch! The food was excellent and the service was great - they seemed short staffed but made every attempt to accommodate. We will be back!

A very stylish Art Deco inspired bistro/hotel. We went for Easter breakfast and enjoyed everything.

Service was painfully slow and food was the epitome of average. The place is a bit crowded with tables- I do not know why they have so many when only 1/3 are occupied.

It’s simple, convenient, average and has lousy service. Fine if on business by yourself, otherwise it’s unimpressive

Atmosphere: 2

Food: 3

Service: 1

Service and food were amazing as always. I am addicted to the quiche. This place is a favorite and we will return soon. My only complaint is the limited dessert selection. If they don't have a pastry chef they can always buy from a local bakery like every other restaurant does.

Trout was delicious. Enjoyed listening to the cello led band.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

We decided to have lunch here while visiting Winston-Salem. The hotel and local streets seemed pretty deserted so wasnt sure why this place was even open. We had brunch here in the past and enjoyed it. the menu was very limited and probably would have benefited from more small plat es. Service was perfunctory and our table had not been cleaned in a while—-this at a not very busy restaurant. Food was nice but for a French brasserie, remarkably not “French.” Could have been any place serving lunch. I had salmon BLT which was ok but there was a mass of arugula as a side which could have been very nicely presented. (Have someone visit a RH restaurant to see about food presentation) A more nicely presented plate would have helped justify cost of lunch. When we were finished, we were not offered coffee....which would have been very nice. I suspect this place is much better for dinner and probably should not be open for lunch since there are very few business people around to purchase lunch....on the company's dime!