Address: | 529 Trade St NW, Winston-Salem, NC 27101, USA |
Phone: | +1 336-727-4844 |
Site: | sweetpotatoes.ws |
Rating: | 4.3 |
Working: | Closed 11AM–3PM 11AM–3PM 11AM–3PM 11AM–3PM 11AM–3PM 10:30AM–3PM |
TH
Theresa Gilford
I thought I would enjoy the experience at this restaurant. None the less it was the total opposite, first when we walked in we were greeted and everything seemed to be fine we sat down proceeded to get our orders after the waiter got our drinks and as we were discussing the menu and different things that everyone wanted at the table, we thought we were satisfied with what we had decided to eat. Next thing food comes out not on time and there was only salads on the entree orders for everyone at the table which took about 35 minutes to prep and bring to the table after it was brought out one of the guests at the table did not like the way the salad was presented nor some of the ingredients in the salad because it wasnt clear to them that it was in there. So none the less that order went back to the kitchen as stated I dont want anything else I just kind of dont want that salad it took too long to get it and I am not really pleased with the presentation. Meanwhile everyones elses entrees are on the table and in the process of this we still hadnt gotten any utensils to eat so after flagging down three different waiters not being our own we finally retrieved silverware from a waitress that was not ours because ours was nowhere to be found. Then another person at the table didnt want their salad and did not touch it. So after all of that the whole table decided to just send back the orders and to leave because we were not satisfied with the way that everything was being presented from the waiters and waitresses too the food entrees and the unsatisfaction of not wanting certain orders and how that was handled. Manager comes out wants to know whats going on we explain our side and then proceeds to tell us to hold on. Next thing you know another another manager is coming to the table and asking us the same thing that the first manager asked us as to what happened and was told that the other manager did not explain anything just told them to come out to see what was going on. So frustrations of wanting our check for the sweet teas and the soup that was at least consumed was not presented and we were ready to go. Not really wanting to explain again as to why we were dissatisfied to cause commotion or have emotions aroused. Then we were told what I will compensate you because we want everyone to have a great experience when they come to the sweet potato at this point we could just get our check and go. Our actual waiter said he was going to go ahead and take care of the actual bill for the tea and soup. That was nice of him I can appreciate that. What I cannot appreciate is the fact that the manager took are personal cell phone numbers and proceeded to tell us that she would call us because she wanted to make sure that we had a great experience with the sweet potato and that she would personally make sure that we get a some type of gift card to The Establishment. We agreed we get home an hour later no call we call to the restaurant we talked to the manager that had promised promised us the check in the form of a gift card she then proceeded to let us know that the owner Vivian did not want her to give us anything and said out of her own mouth that shes not paying for us to eat. Mind you being the professional that I am as well as everyone else at the table we were really insulted by that comment because Im sorry the gift card that you can give me is not you paying for me to eat its paying for the customer service that was not satisfactory today, its paying for the miscommunication and the customer service and its also just given because the manger stated that this was going to be given as a form of gratitude. So we agreed for the $15 gift card and as we drove back down to Winston-Salem busy traffic due to continued: they live they lied they lied we drove down there to be embarrassed and towed by the owner Vivian Im not paying for you to eat after the manager told us to come down and receive the gift card. Moral of the story is dont write a check your ass cant cash and then lie and have customers loose.
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Karen Clare
Had the pleasure of dining at Sweet Potatoes on North Trade Street in downtown Winston Salem, NC on Tuesday eve. Due to circumstances beyond my control, I dined alone that eve. Business trip to the city for a buy event had me looking for some foodie relief. Their website advertised the place as contemporary Southern fare and it lived up to its name. I walked in and let the hostess know I was alone. Its housed in a restored, shotgun style building, with brick walls and black lacquer furniture. Art meets Atlanta feel. The restaurant was less than half-full and being a bit shy, I asked to sit at the bar, rather than at a table. The bartender and a waiter were attentive and warmed up to me quickly as I asked about the specials and menu items. He recommended the drunken pork chops. I was sold. He accommodated my request for a taste-size order of the fried green tomatoes and they were awesome served with the house aioli. I asked if the owners were in the kitchen and was told they were at their newly opened second spot called The Cotton Mill. Later, I noticed two swank, cosmopolitan looking African American women commanding some serious respect and it turned out it was the two of them. They were so gracious and Vivian told me she was glad I was there before heading off to the kitchen. The restaurant menu is forward thinking geared toward todays consumers smaller palates and natural, earth friendly, home style tastes. (OK, maybe my Middle Age is showing here. Hee hee) Several entrees are offered in half orders, in perfect proportion for one. The half order of center cut drunken pork was moist, slathered in brandy gravy and served up with a heaping pile of heaven called Southern style cornbread stuffing. YUM ME! Thanks to the bartender who shared her former life as a trucker, the young inexperienced hostess who attempted to give me directions to Old Salem, and the loyal long-time waiter who knew how to read his customers. By the way, I had cheesecake waiting at my hotel or I wouldve ordered dessert. However, he did mention they were out of the sweet potato cheesecake... Highly recommend, especially for solo business travelers looking for a knock-out dinner experience at the bar. SP offers up wholesome, sophisticated recipes with strong heritage and unbeatable prices.
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John Vanover
I really want this new location to succeed. Dinner last night with 2 friends: sat down at table and the waiter (whom I know from previous visits) was rude, not engaged, and obviously did not want to be there. We changed tables immediately (to one next to the kitchen door). The sound level in the new location is terrible - not mostly from the kitchen, but from the room at large. They need MORE speakers and a lower volume setting. Fabric hangings from the ceiling would also help mitigate the "liveness" of the room (caused in part by all the glass [drapes?]). The windows also reduce the amount of original art on the walls - thats a shame as the old place was a bit of an art gallery. The plastic wood floor is a design abomination and also lends to the noise (I actually only heard about a third of our conversation and what the waiter said). With the exception of 2 people I saw smiling, the wait staff was scowling and looked miserable. Water glasses AND wine glasses got empty and stayed that way. Bar tender looked lethargic and slow. Food: fried chicken was excellent as were all salads. Bayou Bowl (was extremely thin on crawfish: the #1 ingredient on the menu) waiter brought more from the kitchen and made that ok. Ribs arrived at table (remember we were NEXT TO the kitchen) cold. Inexcusable. I have a couple of friends who have eaten there recently and will not return. The magic of the old location is gone and management doesnt seem to be aware or does not care. It was a very special atmosphere and has, sadly, not been reproduced. The new location has been open for some time now and if these shortcomings arent resolved soon, I cant see the new place surviving. I sincerely hope management can recognize the problems and correct them.