Home @ 14 Jul 2007 08:01 am by Christina Waters
We just returned from a breakfast outing to an establishment north of Santa Cruz - old place, new revamp - that can’t possibly be serious about serving food. It can’t actually desire to win the hearts and minds of customers. Can it?
I mean it took thirty minutes for three separate wait staffers, at least two managers that we could see (maybe more in the wings) and someone in the kitchen to FINALLY produce two out of three dishes worth eating. My pancakes was devoid of flavor. Wait. They did have some flavor. And it was not good. Plus the pancakes were the size of hubcaps on steroids, thick and dry as old sponges left out in the sun.
Dry, flavorless and thirty minutes in the making. Not a recipe for success.
Surely this isn’t an actual restaurant? and if not, what is it? Hmmmm.
OK, now let’s not be coy. You know we are all wanting to know, “What place is this?” Is it the Whale Bakery or the Davenport Roadhouse, formerly the Cash Store? My and husband and I had a totally unpleasant experience with both the service and the food at the Roadhouse shortly after it opened. The owners were on site and completely clueless. However, at the time it seemed to have potential.
I went there, too, and had an equally not-good, unimpressive experience. Stood for ten minutes (which they asked me to do) in front of the bakery case, though there were plenty of empty tables. They didn’t comp me even a glass of tea for the inconvenience.
I ordered soup and a main, and the waitress brought them both twenty minutes later. Meanwhile (I am not making this up), she took forever getting her six-top served because she CARRIED ONLY ONE PLATE AT A TIME.
I’ve heard (from a chef and a food writer who live in Davenport) that it’s better at night, but why would I risk it? The food was only “eh” at best.
What a waste of a lot of good energy: the staff problems are apparently nearly insurmountable.
I am a westside resident who makes frequent trips up the coast, and have had a wonderful time watching the remodeled Davenport Roadhouse re-open, and find it’s feet.
Overwhelmingly, I’ve had fantastic experiences as they have improved. Apparently, there are some inconsistencies here and there, which I’m sure they’re aware of!
I find this one of a kind gem is worth supporting, our north coast is a special place, and the empty beaches and mountain views are worth the trip.