I've seen this place for years and always thought the bookstore setting was cool, but had never gone in.
Finally gave it a try one evening and had a Cesar salad and the royal smash burger.
Salad had plenty of Parmesan. Every bite had some which was great. They brought out my burger when I had just started on the salad, so to keep the burger from getting cold I had to alternate plates and that did dampen the vibe of my dining experience. Felt a bit rushed because of that. Although it wasn't the waiter's fault since another person brought it out too early.
Regardless, the burger had flavor, was tasty, but the bottom got soggy pretty quickly. Maybe because it was medium rare idk. Royal fries were tasty and perfectly crispy.
The bartender / waiter was very attentive and friendly.
Overall, food was decent, service was great, vibes weren't bad. I probably won't go out of my way to return but the food hits the spot if you're hungry and close by.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 4
backpacker31
Stopped in for breakfast. From the limited menu we ordered oatmeal and coffees. Oatmeal was steel cut - not my favorite, but prepared well nonetheless. Coffees were okay - could have been bolder. Service started out well - welcoming and attentive, but by the end of our meal there were no servers to be found. I ended up tracking someone down in the kitchen area in order to get our check.
Mandy Dillman
Food was not what the menu described. The vibe and drinks were really good. It was also not a bookstore, just a bar with a book-ish theme.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 1
Service: 3
yeze keze
A hassle-free and enjoyable experience. One of the best experiences ever.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
bolton2013
We ordered fish and chips, and a salmon dish for dinner on a Sunday evening. The restaurant wasn't busy. The food came and the plate the salmon arrived on was cold. The vegetables underneath the salmon were cold. We had to flag down another server because ours was nowhere to be seen. He took the plate back and the food returned slightly warmer. The salmon was hot but the plate itself was still cold and the vegetables luke warm. The taste was nice, although the salmon was a bit overcooked (maybe because they had to warm it up again and it was the tail end which is thin). The fish and chips were nice. Our server returned after the meal and took the plates away. She didn't ask us if we wanted a dessert but just brought the cheque. When I asked for the dessert menu she said" I didn't hear you ask for it" (we didn't ask for the cheque either but hey.) There were three desserts on the menu, one of which was unavailable, so a choice of two. $15 for a cheese cake, or some ice cream. I then asked to include a small tip on the total of the cheque and pay part cash, part card. Our server wanted to take my card away to take payment which I didn't like. She then put the amount through without the tip, so she didn't get one. We wouldn't go back unfortunately,
Viking
I'd love to try this place out, but the only hours I'm able to swing by are when they are closed mid-day. Such a shame, I'd love to give them business...
Miss Val
We stopped in here for a quick drink after doing an underground tour on a Sunday in August. We were on foot so we picked it from the map based on where we were at the time and the direction were heading.
We sat at the bar and the bartender was with us quickly. There were not many others at the bar but we couldn’t really see the dining area so I’m not sure how crowded they get.
The drinks were great and the bartender was friendly and attentive. There happened to be a bridal party all dressed as David Bowie enjoying beverages while we were there - sorry no pic but their outfits were fantastic! That contributed to the upbeat and lively atmosphere.
We didn’t eat anything so I can’t comment on the food but the menu looked good.
Drink prices were comparable to other similar places we have been. Not sure on the parking situation, we walked from our hotel.
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
StephenCr0ss
Nice breakfast although slow service. Bit pricy to have $20 for 2 slices of toast, 3 slices of wafer thin bacon and a few potatoes. Yogurt parfait was good. Nice decor.
Laura Smith
Cute place, nice patio, central location. Terrible drinks. Our party of 3 ordered 3 different cocktails. Purple reign, a lemon drop, and the red carpet. All of them were served barely chilled and all tasted very similar. Like a cross between a cherry jolly rancher and red cough syrup.
I usually like to visit chill and cozy spots. This was definitely one of them.
Located inside the hotel, it’s a little far down from pike market location as it’s located near symphony station.
Cozy interiors, a little crowded space, decent selections for quick whiskey needs, and food options.
I was looking for an outlet but it wasn’t easy to find one. If I do get another chance, I would def want to explore this place more.
Atmosphere: 4
Service: 4
Joe Rottman
Amazing vibe to drop in for a drink and small bites!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Michael Scott
It’s a beautiful bar bookstore in a hotel. However the waiter was rude. He was a short guy that didn’t want to explain the ‘make your own martini’ on the menu, he didn’t like that we asked for separate checks (not many people at the bar), the separate checks were divided wrong (we wanted two checks, one with food and a drink, the other with 1 drink), he seemed annoyed that we didn’t pay the bill 15 seconds after it arrived. The other staff seemed fine.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 3
Kelly F
The bookstore itself was quaint. The service was ho hum. The food was excellent. My biggest complaint is that they put a 50 cent surcharge per egg because of the shortage!? Wth!? It is not our fault!? Not impressed. Total cash grab.
Elon Rubin
They had the nerve to not only charge a 5% table surcharge but also a 2% egg surcharge when ordering eggs! I am outraged at the chutzpa of management to pull such a fast one. They should be ashamed of themselves. What's next, a 2% turkey surcharge when ordering a turkey sandwich or a 2% meat surcharge for a burger? I'd have more respect if they simply raised prices 2% as opposed to this nonsense.
The server was very nice and the food good. I just have some lines that can't be crossed. I hope management grows a pair and some morals. Or if not boycott these clowns mascarading as restaurant owners
Decent hotel restaurant food and selection.
I've seen this place for years and always thought the bookstore setting was cool, but had never gone in.
Finally gave it a try one evening and had a Cesar salad and the royal smash burger.
Salad had plenty of Parmesan. Every bite had some which was great. They brought out my burger when I had just started on the salad, so to keep the burger from getting cold I had to alternate plates and that did dampen the vibe of my dining experience. Felt a bit rushed because of that. Although it wasn't the waiter's fault since another person brought it out too early.
Regardless, the burger had flavor, was tasty, but the bottom got soggy pretty quickly. Maybe because it was medium rare idk. Royal fries were tasty and perfectly crispy.
The bartender / waiter was very attentive and friendly.
Overall, food was decent, service was great, vibes weren't bad. I probably won't go out of my way to return but the food hits the spot if you're hungry and close by.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 4
Stopped in for breakfast. From the limited menu we ordered oatmeal and coffees. Oatmeal was steel cut - not my favorite, but prepared well nonetheless. Coffees were okay - could have been bolder. Service started out well - welcoming and attentive, but by the end of our meal there were no servers to be found. I ended up tracking someone down in the kitchen area in order to get our check.
Food was not what the menu described. The vibe and drinks were really good. It was also not a bookstore, just a bar with a book-ish theme.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 1
Service: 3
A hassle-free and enjoyable experience. One of the best experiences ever.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
We ordered fish and chips, and a salmon dish for dinner on a Sunday evening. The restaurant wasn't busy. The food came and the plate the salmon arrived on was cold. The vegetables underneath the salmon were cold. We had to flag down another server because ours was nowhere to be seen. He took the plate back and the food returned slightly warmer. The salmon was hot but the plate itself was still cold and the vegetables luke warm. The taste was nice, although the salmon was a bit overcooked (maybe because they had to warm it up again and it was the tail end which is thin). The fish and chips were nice. Our server returned after the meal and took the plates away. She didn't ask us if we wanted a dessert but just brought the cheque. When I asked for the dessert menu she said" I didn't hear you ask for it" (we didn't ask for the cheque either but hey.) There were three desserts on the menu, one of which was unavailable, so a choice of two. $15 for a cheese cake, or some ice cream. I then asked to include a small tip on the total of the cheque and pay part cash, part card. Our server wanted to take my card away to take payment which I didn't like. She then put the amount through without the tip, so she didn't get one. We wouldn't go back unfortunately,
I'd love to try this place out, but the only hours I'm able to swing by are when they are closed mid-day. Such a shame, I'd love to give them business...
We stopped in here for a quick drink after doing an underground tour on a Sunday in August. We were on foot so we picked it from the map based on where we were at the time and the direction were heading.
We sat at the bar and the bartender was with us quickly. There were not many others at the bar but we couldn’t really see the dining area so I’m not sure how crowded they get.
The drinks were great and the bartender was friendly and attentive. There happened to be a bridal party all dressed as David Bowie enjoying beverages while we were there - sorry no pic but their outfits were fantastic! That contributed to the upbeat and lively atmosphere.
We didn’t eat anything so I can’t comment on the food but the menu looked good.
Drink prices were comparable to other similar places we have been. Not sure on the parking situation, we walked from our hotel.
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
Nice breakfast although slow service. Bit pricy to have $20 for 2 slices of toast, 3 slices of wafer thin bacon and a few potatoes. Yogurt parfait was good. Nice decor.
Cute place, nice patio, central location. Terrible drinks. Our party of 3 ordered 3 different cocktails. Purple reign, a lemon drop, and the red carpet. All of them were served barely chilled and all tasted very similar. Like a cross between a cherry jolly rancher and red cough syrup.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 1
Service: 3
Decent clam chowder.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 3
Restaurantji Recommends
I usually like to visit chill and cozy spots. This was definitely one of them.
Located inside the hotel, it’s a little far down from pike market location as it’s located near symphony station.
Cozy interiors, a little crowded space, decent selections for quick whiskey needs, and food options.
I was looking for an outlet but it wasn’t easy to find one. If I do get another chance, I would def want to explore this place more.
Atmosphere: 4
Service: 4
Amazing vibe to drop in for a drink and small bites!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
It’s a beautiful bar bookstore in a hotel. However the waiter was rude. He was a short guy that didn’t want to explain the ‘make your own martini’ on the menu, he didn’t like that we asked for separate checks (not many people at the bar), the separate checks were divided wrong (we wanted two checks, one with food and a drink, the other with 1 drink), he seemed annoyed that we didn’t pay the bill 15 seconds after it arrived. The other staff seemed fine.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 3
The bookstore itself was quaint. The service was ho hum. The food was excellent. My biggest complaint is that they put a 50 cent surcharge per egg because of the shortage!? Wth!? It is not our fault!? Not impressed. Total cash grab.
They had the nerve to not only charge a 5% table surcharge but also a 2% egg surcharge when ordering eggs! I am outraged at the chutzpa of management to pull such a fast one. They should be ashamed of themselves. What's next, a 2% turkey surcharge when ordering a turkey sandwich or a 2% meat surcharge for a burger? I'd have more respect if they simply raised prices 2% as opposed to this nonsense.
The server was very nice and the food good. I just have some lines that can't be crossed. I hope management grows a pair and some morals. Or if not boycott these clowns mascarading as restaurant owners
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
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