I wanted to love our time at 1928. The ambiance seemed on point, and the live music was decent. The cocktail menu looked interesting, with a few mocktails specifically listed and other drinks marked with a star that indicated they could be made as non-alcoholic. The bites menu looked particularly compelling though small, with only about 8 or 9 total items - the cheese curd wontons especially caught my eye.
Unfortunately, the experience wasn't great. First was our server. He came across as somehow not really caring, and also like he didn't even know the menu himself. For example, one of our party ordered one of the cocktails they had explicitly marked as being available as a mocktail - the Taiping Empire - and he replied that he didn't know if they could make it without alcohol, but he guessed they could try. Well, I would certainly hope so since it's marked on the menu (photo included). I later overheard the bartender talking about how "this might actually work" as he was making the drink. Overall, drinks were fine - if a bit weak. My Good Fortune Ahead was an odd flavor combo but not unpleasant even if it's not something I'd order again.
Additionally, we ordered the cheese curd wontons and the Taiwanese sausage. We were informed - without a hint of genuine regret - that they were out of the sausage. He suggested the popcorn chicken. We tried again with the oyster mushrooms, and were told they were out of those two and they "might be limited time" despite the fact they're part of the permanent menu we were handed. The vibe of this guy was completely off - he wasn't very helpful, or friendly, and it just killed the entire mood of the place.
When the cheese curd wontons arrived, they were incredibly disappointing. The cheese curds were not even slightly melty with no cheese pull. It was clear they either were fried in oil that wasn't the right temp, or they'd sat and cooled too long before they got to us.
Ultimately, we left after our two snacks and only one drink, and went home where we made our own snacks and beverages and didn't have to put up with a dour and clueless server. read more