Founding Farmers DC

Reviews 3

DR

Drew Wellington

Let me start by saying that I never write reviews online, but I felt as though I had to make an exception here. I will list my complaints chronologically. I had a 10:15am reservation. I arrived at 10:12am, check in, and was not seated until 10:22am. No big deal by itself, but it is indicative of the restaurant’s organization. My waiter never introduced himself or said good morning, welcome, or any other pleasantry. He simply arrived, asked me if I wanted anything to drink, and left before I could tell him I was ready to order. When he returned with my (four dollar) hot chocolate, there was a lump of cream approximately the size of a ping pong ball floating in it. The cream tasted sour, like it had been warmed up, then re-cooled several times. The chocolate was so bitter I winced at the first sip, and didn’t touch it again. I then opened my napkin, in which was a fork and a wooden-handled steak knife with a large chunk of some green vegetable on it. I ordered regular eggs benedict with a side of “leek hash browns.” A short time later (I suspect the food is not cooked to order) I received two very small medallions of eggs benedict (the width comparable to the larger end of an 8oz paper cup) with hollandaise sauce so sparse it appeared as though they were rationing it. The eggs themselves were cold, and the English muffins were both cold AND burnt (to the point that it took several saws with a steak knife to cut through). The “leek hash browns” contained leeks (yum), but also some green skins that looked suspiciously like celery or bell peppers. Many of these green skins were charred or burned, and the temperature throughout the hash browns varied from so hot I could see steam, to so cold I suspect they were frozen just a few minutes prior. If youre going to put a twist on an American classic breakfast food, at least MENTION IT in the description of the item on the menu. Hash browns should be seasoned, grilled potatoes. Thats it. When I finished, I attempted to get my waiter’s attention seven times. Since my table was right next to the point of sale terminal, he walked by often, but never paid attention. I would’ve loved to address him by name, but he never gave me one. Finally, when he was bringing the food to the table of girls next to me, laughing, joking, and smiling with them, I was able to physically touch him to get his attention and ask for the check. The total for the breakfast was $15.40. $10 for the rationed portion of eggs benedict with half-frozen vegetable hash browns, and $4 for the ping pong swimming pool of hot brown liquid that made my face scrunch up. I wanted to pay with cash, but only having $20 on me, and I wasn’t about to let Mr. Houdini, aptly named for his disappearing act, get a $5 tip on my dime. If I’m being fair, I think it would be more appropriate for Founding Farmers to compensate me for the Uber ride to their restaurant, because it was a waste of my time. All told, I spent an hour and 12 minutes in this restaurant. 10 minutes on the front end waiting to be seated, even with a reservation, and 22 minutes on the back end, trying to get someone’s attention so I could pay. It is also important to note that yesterday, a Sunday during brunch hours, I called and asked about wait times, and the helpful hostess politely informed me that there was an approximately 2 hour and 30 minute wait time, subject to change. Who in God’s name waits almost three hours for brunch?!

CA

Carol Chan

After a mediocre dining experience a year prior at the Moco location, I was invited back with my husband for a retry. We were pleasantly surprised when we were seated almost immediately even though we arrived 20 min earlier than our reserved time. The manager then personally came to greet us and took our orders. Service from her was above and beyond - extremely professional and courteous. From our assigned waitress however, she was no where to be found for most of our dinner (more on this later...) With the overwhelmingly popular tapas style restaurants opening right and left in DC, we werent too keen on the portion size offered in FF. It was so obvious our neighboring tables were appalled by the amount of food brought to our table again and again. The taste of our dishes however were either a total hit or a total miss. Bacon lollies - my husband said they could be a little more crispy, but overall very tasty! Devilish eggs seafood combo - all 3 types of seafood devilish egg pretty much tasted the same - very bland and fishy. Had to douse it with hot sauce to mask the fishy after taste. Cornbread - loved the sweet glaze over crispy crust and corns baked within! Butchers farmhouse grill - ridiculous portion but every component of this dish was delish! The highlight was the pork ribs - pull off the bone, melt in your mouth goodness. Shrimp & grits - this was the letdown. I had this dish almost every time Ive eaten out so far in dc. I actually had to send this particular one back. The gravy was strangely sour and I couldnt get through two bites. And it was obvious my dish had been sitting for a while - a layer of solidified gravy resting on top. Scallops and risotto - the scallops were actually really salty but I honestly didnt want to send back a second time. The butternut risotto was enough to convince me to keep the dish - a lot more al dente and dryer than what Im used to. But butternut squash anything is delish! We sat around for a long time after we were done with our main dishes. Our waitress disappeared for so long, we had to flag someone else down for boxes and to ask for dessert menu. When our waitress returned to take our order, she informed us that the beignets would take an additional 20 mins. But before coming to dinner, my husband and I had our eyes set on these little pieces of heaven, we agreed to wait. Beignets - straight from the fryer - crispy exterior with warm, gooey, doughy inside! But they were a bit too oily and carried a strange salty aftertaste, one was enough for me. Cheesecake - so closed to not getting this but decided to go all out fatty. Hands down best cheesecake Ive ever had. Perfect graham cracker crust paired with light and airy vanilla cheesecake. I actually didnt feel gross after devouring the whole plate! Overall, the food was still just mediocre - some real high, some real low. Service - We couldnt find our waitress for the bill (Actually we didnt see her even when we paid and got up to leave). I appreciate FFs attempt to reach out to us and invite for a second try - however my rating remains the same. It was just okay.

EL

Ellen Howes

This was our first time at Founding Farmers, and once we got to our table everything was perfect. Our server was very sweet, drinks were great (the orchid!!), and of course the food was delicious. Its great to see such a popular farm to table restaurant! I was able to snag a 6:15pm reservation for my boyfriends birthday, but our first contact with customer service was a huge turn off. I was running late and tried to call to notify the host. I got an automated message (thats fine) and was put on hold for 3 minutes before speaking to someone. I assumed Id get the host and could simply say "Hi, I have a 6:15 res and Im running a few minutes behind, can you hold my table for 5 more minutes?". Instead it was a receptionist at a customer care center. Once I said my little blurb she rudely replied, "Okay maam, what time are you rescheduling your reservation for?". Huh?? I dont want to reschedule, I just want to notify you that Im on my way! I was on the metro and my end must have cut off, because she kept saying, "Maam? Maam, I cant hear you. Maam, if you cant tell me when to reschedule I cant help you". The saga continues: I got off the metro and hear from my boyfriend that hes at the restaurant. I immediately relax, thinking theyll take him to the table and alls well. Once Im about a block away he calls to say they wont seat him unless Im there as well. What? Ive never been to a restaurant that refuses to seat me while Im waiting for the rest of my party. I got to Founding Farmers around 6:25, my boyfriend had been there since 6:15. The hostess was polite, but says well just have to wait a moment while they find us a table. So clearly, they gave our table up when I wasnt there with at 6:15 exact (which I tried to let them know!!). We werent seated until 6:35. If we had had to wait one more minute I would have caused a scene. Later that evening I saw a handful of ladies joining their table later than the rest of their party. So I dont understand why they didnt seat my boyfriend--is it a party size thing? All in all, we had a really nice time. Like I said, great food and fun atmosphere once we were seated. Im tempted to give them 3 stars for the initial customer service, but the food really did make up for it in the end. My advice: get out of work early to get to your res on the dot, or skip public transport.