05/29/09

Awesome burger, beers and a great non Marina ambiance!!!!

by TSILVA

Every time I visit I receive great beer suggestions and when it's crowded and hard to move around for the staff they remain friendly and upbeat.

05/05/09

Great Gastropub

by nwad

Monk's Kettle is THE place to check out! The vibe is totally cool, unpretentious, and always a great time. If you like/love/learning to like beer...this is the spot for you. Aside of great beer/wine, the food here is sooo yummy. And, the owner Nat is super cool. Get there early as this place gets packed with beer lovers alike!

10/30/08

inattentive bartenders who are too hip to acknowledge you

by missmockingbird

I live on 16th St. and have been to Monk's Kettle 3 times. If you can get past the inattentive, rude, too hip and dismissive bartenders who are apparently supposed to act as hosts when the host is away, then you'll probably like this place. The food is excellent. The beer menu is amazing and the actual wait staff is very good. One Saturday afternoon my husband and I walked in. There was a bartender and two customers. The bartender saw us, looked away and began cleaning the bar. At least 3 minutes passed before he ever spoke to us and then he said, dismissively, "If you want to have lunch you can just sit at any table." and turned away. We left. The next time I decided to order take-out thinking that I wouldn't have to deal with the attitude, but no such luck. The bartender walked up to the man standing next to me (like 4" from my shoulder) and spoke to him but never even looked at me. She walked away. Probably 4 minutes later I flagged down a server who was serving in the far back of the restaurant to let him know that I needed to pick up a take-out order. When the bartender delivered my food she just sat it in front of me. SO RUDE! The one time we actually ate in the restaurant the waitress was very good and the food was excellent but the place was super crowded and loud. They let as many people who can fit stuff themselves into the bar area, which means if you are in an aisle seat you're getting bumped constantly and if you want to go to the restroom it's like walking through the Elbo Room on a Fri. night. I really wish they would train the bartenders to be decent hosts if there isn't a host on duty and I wish they didn't let so many people in the bar when they're serving dinner. The food is SO good and the location is great. I really want to go back, but I don't deserve to be treated with disdain; I won't ever be going back. Listen, if the manager/owner cared about how customers were treated he/she would make it clear to the staff. I can only assume they don't.

• Pros: Excellent food, great location, great beer selection
• Cons: disdainful, disinterested bartenders who are too cool to speak to you