village anchor and pub: review: 4 stars

[Robin Garr]

Coming up in LEO Wednesday. I like it but don't applaud quite as loud as Marty. I also manage to get to the point without invoking the German psychologist Hermann Ebbinghaus. Marty's unique style certainly stands out in the setting that is Gannett's Scene ...

Marty's unique style certainly stands out in the setting that is Gannett's Scene ..

Is there something wrong with that? Should he dumb his style down based on who is publishing his work?

I for one, go to the CJ website to read a few specific things and Marty's reviews are one of them. So there are readers who know how to pick and chose what they are looking for and know where to go to find it.

I for one am a big fan of his writing style and I liked is analogy in the article based on his experience and impression. And I think it is true in many businesses.

We took our ladies night out to the Anchor for their Weds Celebration. We were a bit hesitant since most of the gals eat light and the offering was meatloaf...well, we ALL loved the three course offering, service, atmosphere and crowd! WE are going back again with more gals for more fun next Weds! Kevin G has a huge hit on his hands plus it was great seeing April Adams! Very excited to have such a new and exciting spot to drink and dine!

I have to agree with Brian regarding Marty's reviews. All of his reviews seem to be spot on, and I feel this one is no exception. The Courier has found a very professional reviewer for the paper and Marty has won the confidence of people wanting the true atmosphere of a restaurant. He writes from the heart and is not influenced by "favorite status" of his or others. Had the privilige of dining at the Anchor on Friday night, and it is all that Marty says and more.

Before this bandwagon gets too long...Our experience was not as pleasant as the resident and nonresident food critics.

When we arrived last Thursday the place was busy but did not seem to be "in the weeds" by any stretch of the imagination. We were seated on the patio of the downstairs pub a couple of minutes before 8pm (4 or 5 parties on a patio with 9 or 10 tables). At 8:12pm (I know the time because I just happened to look at my watch) a young man arrived at the table with water and a promise our server "will be right with you". At 8:22pm the server was finally "right with us" and asked if we would care for a beverage. Yes we would...Two Sierra Nevada Pale Ales please. At 8:25pm two employees brought out an industrial strength fan (we're talking BIG) and set it up about six feet from our table...I recall thinking to myself that surely to GOD they aren't thinking about turning that thing on (after all we had elected outdoor seating because it was such a pleasant evening out)...Well yes, they were thinking about turning it on and they did, the resulting breeze being so "fresh" that my cell phone damn near blew of the table (I'm serious) to say nothing of the menus, my wife's sun glasses and various other sundry items that we had to retrieve from various points on the patio. Without even an acknowledgment of this situation the two employees disappeared back into the bar area and my wife and I were left to move ourselves to another table not quiet as breezy. At 8:32pm with our beers (apparently) still in the keg and our server no where in sight we elected to call off this culinary experiment and we made our way back to the car and an early exit. Looking at things from a positive perspective, we did have about 35 minutes of free time to view a rather daunting and somewhat confusing menu, so it wasn't ALL bad. Continuing to look at things from a positive perspective the evening wasn't a complete wash as after leaving the Village Anchor we stopped to enjoy another fine meal and great service down the street at Selena's.

One would like to believe that after being open for 6 weeks these kind of "bugs" would have been worked out...but apparently not. I'm not saying we won't go back as a result of this non-service but with so many other choices in the area the Village Anchor has certainly moved down on our list of "must go to" places.

Steve, there's another bright spot you didn't get a chance to see. When they bring your check their printed check holder suggests that because of their service is outstanding a 20%-25% tip is appropriate! Like yours our service was what I consider below average even though our server had a second server with him that he was training. I definitely agree with your analysis of the menu. The food we had was good but it was difficult to figure out what was what and our server was no help in that regard. Again we will probably go again but it's certainly not a place we will take friends until we have a better experience.

I'm holding off until the dust settles before I make the trek to Anchorage.

To the credit of the Village Anchor, I was contacted via P.M. regarding our Thu evening experience. To paraphrase my reply - there is no need to make amends.

To the credit of the Village Anchor, I was contacted via P.M. regarding our Thu evening experience. To paraphrase my reply - there is no need to make amends.

Unfortunately I haven't which makes me even more upset considering now I know someone from there monitors this forum. As I stated we will go back but until they prove themselves it's not a place we will be taking visitors.

I am with Mark and Steve on Village Anchor. Two friends and I went Thurs for lunch and had less than a stellar experience. Our server (sorry, can't remember her name) and the french fries were excellent, but the rest, food included, left us saying we would never go back. I called Wednesday to make reservations for 11:30 Thurs and was told that we didn't need them, yet seating us seemed to be a pain because we wanted to sit inside (partly because of the aforementioned fans outside!). We were there to plan a neighborhood party and one lady had a couple glasses of wine, we all had sandwiches and one got dessert to go, so our lunch stretched into about an hour an a half. Soon after we had paid our bills, the seating girl came to our table and bluntly said "Is there anything else we can do for you?" When we said "No", she said "We need your table." So we left immediately!!!
I am very aware of people waiting and I saw no one--not saying they weren't there, but it was not apparent that anyone was waiting and this is something that I am very conscious of because of friends in the restaurant business. One last thing, I find the "tip 20%-25%" print on the card folder VERY tacky as did everyone in my party--I know how to tip!!!

One last thing, I find the "tip 20%-25%" print on the card folder VERY tacky as did everyone in my party--I know how to tip!!!

I couldn't agree with you more on that subject. I like you know how to tip well and do based on the level of service. The amount of a tip should be earned not requested!

It appears this restaurant has two faces, good and bad. And people posting here have seen both. There seems to be consensus on how confusing the menu is but everything else seems to be different for different peoples experiences. Hopefully they will get things together soon and become one of Louisville's respected independents.

One last thing, I find the "tip 20%-25%" print on the card folder VERY tacky as did everyone in my party--I know how to tip!!!

I couldn't agree with you more on that subject. I like you know how to tip well and do based on the level of service. The amount of a tip should be earned not requested!

At least it is one step up from the level where a restaurant "offers" you the exact amount one should tip for given percentages.

Looks something like this, at the bottom of a $30 tab:

15% - 4.50
18% - 5.40
20% - 6.00

I've always wanted to leave the 20% amount on a small tab - say 2.00 on 10 - and then write a note: "Would have left more, but thought these were my only options. Sorry."

Threads like this don't do anyone any good. There are way too many agendas in this forum to be objective 100% of the time. Have people had issues there? Sure. Have people had amazing times there? Absolutely. I think we all should come to our own conclusions and not let some sour posts dissuade our opinion.

Wonderful to see a new restaurant in the heart of Anchorage, and we'll definitely give it a try....miss the old "Train Station".

I think we all should come to our own conclusions and not let some sour posts dissuade our opinion.

To be honest, as a consumer, I welcome the "sour" posts right alongside the glowing reviews and I have often found them to be an accurate barometer of the average dining experience. As I have become more settled in L'ville and more familiar with the folks on this forum, I have come to trust and abide by some peoples judgment much more so than others...for a variety of reasons

I mean lets be honest here...in terms of quality dining there isn't a restaurant in town north of "Jose' and Yang's Taqueria, Sushi Bar and 10 Minute Oil Change" that doesn't know who Marty and Robin are. Most likely they've got their pictures posted by the time clock. Do you think either of these guys are going to walk into a restaurant north of the aforementioned and get BAD service or the questionable cut of meat ? Then we have the <eh-hem> "preferred diners" (you know who you are) they know every chef and server in town and little bells go off in the kitchen when they arrive....are THEY going to get poor service ? Can't forget the "ITB" crowd...Chef Joe and his buddy have a day off and they decide to check out his best friend Chef Bob and his new crew at the latest greatest establishment. Do ya think THEY are going to get average food and/or service ? Sorry...not saying these people don't know WAY (WAY) more about food than I do...and I'm not saying I don't pay attention to what they say but frankly those folks are relatively far down the list of people I'm going to depend on for advice and when I'm choosing a place to dine. I would much rather have the views of Carol or Mark or any other number of people...So yeah, as irritating as those "ITB" may find it, I personally want to hear the "sour" along with the "glowing".