Navarre

An Evening-Ruiner!. Our party of 10 was seated, and from the beginning it was a confusing, claustrophobic, and anxiety-provoking experience. They provided only one wine list and menu for the table, and my request for another was met with a cold stare, not another list. One end of the table managed to wrangle a bottle of wine, while the other waited for another 15 minutes.

Some of the party decided they wanted the set menu, others did not. The server seemed to be unable to make this distinction however, even though the set menu folks were on one end of the table and the rest at the other end. The people who did not choose the set menu received their items 40 minutes after the set menu people. In the meantime, it continued to be a struggle to get the server's attention for more wine. Items were slammed down on the table by the now visibly angry server, with no explanation of what anything was.

Was the food tasty? Yes, but we really didn't enjoy it.

Lest you think we're philistines who don't know how to navigate a Tapas restaurant, let me assure you, we're not. Our party included restaurant and wine industry people, and experienced travelers and diners. Also, we're a nice, thoroughly polite and smiley, high tipping bunch, who tried to maintain politeness and good cheer throughout the ordeal.

Based on my experience, and other reviews I've read here, it seems that Navarre should just come out and say they dislike serving parties of more than eight, and refuse to do so. Or, they should enforce the set menu for large parties.

Even though the server was one of the most singularly unpleasant I've ever encountered, I can't really say that I blame her. Navarre's space is crowded and impossible to navigate, even by European standards, and their "simple" ordering system is actually bizarrely complicated- I would probably be surly if I had to work there!  View Less … View More

NEVER going back!!. Where do I start? I'd rather give ZERO STARS. I was SOOOO disappointed with the service and with the entire experience in general!! I made a reservation for 15 people about 3-4 weeks prior to the date. When I called, I asked if the restaurant could host a table of that size, and I was told yes.

Obviously, a reservation of that size indicates a special occasion. My best friends are getting married, and I wanted them to have a special dining experience. Our group has enjoyed tapas at other places, so I thought this would be a great choice. I also called one week prior to the reservation to confirm the table size, and to ask if it was ok to bring in an outside cake. I was told on the phone this was fine, but when I arrived with my cake, the server said she wasn't sure there would be anywhere to put the cake while we were eating. Hmmm...I don't understand this at all. Should they have mentioned that to me when I called about the cake a week ago? I think so!!

When we sat down, the staff decided to remove one of our tables. This was so unnecessary, and it just annoyed all of us. To top it off, the table they removed from ours sat unused for the majority of the next hour, because there was no room to actually seat anyone at it. What was the point of that? We should have left right then, but we didn't. I'm sure other restaurants in the area would've been glad to have our business.

About 6 of us were 10 minutes early, and we ordered a bottle of wine while we waited for the rest of the group. More guests arrived and while the first 6 of us had wine, the rest of the group sat for probably 20-30 minutes without anyone coming to get their drink order. I practically had to beg one of the servers to bring us drinks throughout the evening. I also do not remember anyone EVER asking us how the food tasted. The food was ok, but nothing earth-shaking, especially compared to how horrific the servers treated us. The food was the only mediocre part of the experience although there was never salt and pepper on the table....hmmm.

Our friends with newborn twins had to leave a little early, and of course since no one was paying attention to us, they had to seek out someone to pay their portion of the bill. At the end of the meal, one of the servers told me that the other guest had not included gratuity in his paid amount. I wish I had said "I wonder why?" with dripping sarcasm. I also wish I had left no tip, but I decided that the chefs at least deserved a half-nod.

Our group actually loves to tip well...for GOOD SERVICE, not for servers who act like we are rodents carrying the bubonic plague, which is how we were treated. NEVER EVER going back. BOOOO!!!!  View Less … View More

Just know before you go. My husband and I are always trying out new places and new food. This place looked very interesting and the online menu looked good. When they give you the checklist and explain it to you, they suggest that 6-8 items will feed two people. More like 10-12, maybe, depends on what you order.

It wasn't too busy but we got a small table in the back. That meant one of us stared all evening at the bathroom door and who came and went from it! A hanging curtain or standing screen would have been nice.

We got the heavily crusted bread, but had not checked the oil on the list, so we had to ask for it. We looked at the potatoes or the gratin and settled on the gratin only to find it was a vegetable gratin (no written description given). Bland.

My husband ordered the tuna, which is one of his favorite fish and simply couldn't eat it. I ordered the chicken breast and we laughed that we should have ordered 6-8 of those!

Wine was good, so we only consider $35 a loss and our $20 HALF Bottle of wine a good investment.

We walked out the door and my husband asked if I wanted to get a pizza?!

Best of luck to these folks, but consider adding some spices to the dishes and some flavor to the pate's!  View Less … View More

Wonderful meals. I've eaten here twice with out of town guests and had great experiences both times. So many wonderful wines to choose from (by the glass!) and I love the tapa-style portions; everything full of flavor and done to perfection. And the red velvet cake - yes, sublime.  View Less … View More