Food was amazing and the atmosphere even better. Such a fun and classy place. A must stop if you're in the Tampa area! Very robust whiskey selection and wine for everyone. Our server, Destiny, was so much fun and gave us great recommendations! read more

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We had a really enjoyable lunch at Oak & Ola, with some definite highlights and one recurring thought: the flavors were often better than the value. We started with the Million Dollar Deviled Eggs, topped with crispy oysters, bacon jam and caviar. They were creative and packed with flavor. The caviar came through a little stronger than we would have preferred, but everything worked surprisingly well together. Bill put them around 3.5-4 out of 5, while Deb gave them a 3. The wine was one of the best parts of the meal. I had the Ken Wright Cellars Pinot Noir and loved it--fruity with a peppery edge in a really good way. Easy 4.5/5. Deb went with the Drylands Sauvignon Blanc and gave it a solid 4/5. Both wines paired nicely with the deviled eggs. For lunch, we tried the blackened grouper sandwich. The fish and smoky Old Bay rémoulade were very flavorful, and the sandwich itself earned a 4/5 for taste. The problem was the $34 price tag. It simply felt too small for that price, so we'd put the value closer to a 3. Dessert turned things around again. The mango sorbetto was cold, bright and refreshing, and the accompanying sugar cookies added a surprisingly nice contrast. At $7, it felt like a much better value. 4/5. Overall, Oak & Ola delivered some very good flavors and an excellent wine experience. We'd return, but we'd probably be a little more selective about the higher-priced entrées. read more

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Oak & Ola has become our go-to restaurant for large birthday celebrations, and they exceed our expectations every single time. We've celebrated multiple birthdays there with groups of 20-25 women, and they always make the experience feel effortless. While many Tampa restaurants require deposits, minimum spends, or limited menus for large parties, Oak & Ola simply welcomes us with open arms and genuinely seems happy to have us there. The service is consistently impeccable, the food is both beautiful and absolutely delicious, and the restaurant itself offers a gorgeous atmosphere with stunning waterfront views. It's clear that every detail matters to them. They reserve a special table for gifts, have even printed custom "Happy Birthday" menus for us, and on our most recent visit, Chef Margaret came out personally to wish the birthday girl a happy birthday. Our servers were phenomenal. They anticipated every need, kept everything running smoothly for such a large group, and never missed a beat. Coordinating a party our size is no small task, yet they made it look easy while making every single person feel cared for. If you're looking for a restaurant with exceptional food, outstanding service, and a team that truly knows how to make guests feel special, Oak & Ola is one of the very best in Tampa. We can't wait for our next celebration there! read more

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Had a wonderful first-time experience with Dane as our server. Both our hostess and Dane did a wonderful job with customer service and helping us feel welcome and informed. The restaurant has a modern ambiance with varied types of table seating including outdoor and lounge style. Perfect for a date, celebration, or gathering of friends. The most important thing-- the food. The food is unique and delicious. We were pleasantly surprised to learn that the chef was James Beard award recognized, and rightfully so. Our table ordered many of the items on the menu as well as specialty cocktails and there's only one thing that wasn't impressive- the gulf fish. Otherwise, all items were delectable and provided complex flavors. My standouts were the pork belly, the beet and crab salad, the duck confit special, the hogfish (and I'm not even a fish person!), the chicken Milanese, and the toffee pudding. You must go here and try these dishes! Overall, it was a wonderful experience and I look forward to returning. read more

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My hubby loves a good Sunday brunch spot and I brought him to Oak and Ola for Father's Day and it hit all expectations. The inside is very spacious and whimsically decorated with a few different seating options: regular table and chairs but also couch/loveseats with tables and chairs. Our server was attentive and friendly and super knowledgeable about the menu and the plentiful gluten free options/swaps (they have gluten free bread). For brunch, we ordered deviled eggs, whipped feta, lobster Benedict, sweet potato hash, and the fish amandine. Everything was excellent. The fried oyster on the deviled eggs was inventive and super tasty. The whipped feta has pomegranate seeds sprinkled on top which made for a yummy sweet and savory bite. Hubbys sweet potato hash was flavorful and filling. The lobster bennys had quite a bit of lobster and the old bay hollandaise sauce was perfection. The fresh fish amandine was yellowtail snapper that came out with a beautifully crispy skin, a delicious brown butter almond sauce and sautéed green beans. This place was a hit for all of us and we cannot wait to go back again, even to try supper too! read more

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Sooo Oak & Ola is a repeat for me, and I'm definitely late on this review. I've been for both lunch and dinner, and each time the food has been fresh and tasty. I really like the interior decor and attention to detail. Our server was attentive and nice, which made the experience even better. What I ordered: Deviled Eggs: The fried capers set it off! Chicken Salad Croissant Sandwich: Fresh and filling read more

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Still five star. Been too long since we were here last, A move can do those things. But we are back! In fact the overall experience was so good we have reservations for Easter dinner. Started with a warm welcome, yes they remembered us. Our server Alton? Was perfect, attentive but not at all pushy. He let us pace our dinner. Thoroughly enjoyed the beet and crabmeat salad to start. It was just right down to the pickled onions. And I generally do not like onions. Along with handcrafted old fashioneds. Next up, Spanish meatballs. Delicious! Love the sliced sweet almonds in the sauce. Could easily have ordered a second round. Instead saved room for crab stuffed New England sole which by the way was delicious and nicely portioned. Sauce was rich but not too rich. Stay tuned, will post more pics after next visit. The magic is still here and going strong. read more

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Really enjoyed my dinner experience. Even though the restaurant was very busy, it didn't feel very loud or overcrowded. The restaurant staff is very polite and checks on us quite often. The food was amazing. read more

Oak and Ola - Burrata Toast - New American Near Me - Tampa, Florida

Everything is amazing! Fantastic service!!! Best first date spot ever!! What a view! Came here with friends! I will return! This might be my most favorite place ever!! read more

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Yup, yeah and yessir. They have it going on here. Cross that threshold in the front door and you feel it in the air. Magic. Staff is so on it, kitchen is clocked in and workin. What more could you ask for, oh yeah hot and good food. Well guess what - they do that and they do it really really well. I got the skirt steak and I joined the clean plate club. I loved it. Shoutout Owen. He was my server and he made it feel like I was the most important customer ever. He is a superstar. They are doing it right. They have it going on. Thank you Oak and Ola for a fantastic time. read more

Just came back from another experience at Oak and Ola and I have to say, my mind is blown. Everything from our server Destiny, to the Sommelier Matt, to the chef Margaret and Mark, the Manager. We came back because the Manager Andy invited us. The chef, Margaret, came out and introduced herself and said she was going to bring us out some treats. And treats, she did! She brought us a coming-soon menu item: whipped feta. It had pomegranate seeds, hot honey and some other stuff I can't remember, served with pita bread and it was phenomenal. Can't wait to see this on the menu. Next was their roasted octopus. This was delicious but I probably wouldn't order again. It was very flavorful when eaten with the beans and kale. Next up was the crab and beet salad. This was surprisingly delicious. It's a crab salad served on top of marinated beets with vinegar and olive oil as the base. This was touted as a palette cleanser by Destiny and she was so right. It was bright and fresh and definitely left a clean taste in your mouth. The snapper amandine came next and it was everything I had remembered from 2021 and more! The brown butter sauce was so flavorful and the fish was seasoned to perfection. Last, but certainly not least, was the truffle lobster risotto. The truffle was so fragrant I could smell it across the table. I was pretty stuffed at this point so I only had a bite but it was delicious. My BF loved it. He said it was a toss up between the crab salad, amandine and the risotto, so I'd say everything was pretty much a slam dunk. We also had the Tapestry wine by Paso Robles, which was suggested by Matt, the sommelier. It was the perfect accompaniment to what I will say was one of the most memorable meals I've had, if ever. From being seated to leaving, the entire experience was top notch and I would love to make this a regular in our lineup! read more

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This was my first time trying Oak and Ola and I had a great dining experience. The interior of the restaurant is very spacious and modern - I felt like I was seated inside an updated library. Our server was very attentive and knowledgeable. The food came out really fast which was shocking! We sat right by the kitchen and we saw a lot of delicious dishes being plated. The Brussels sprouts were very tasty - had a nice fried exterior with a lemony cream sauce. The whipped feta was good - wish there was a little more feta to dip with the chips. My daughter got the margarita pizza and it was crispy and light. I got the linguine alla vodka with boozy pig sausage. The pasta was cooked perfectly - soft and velvety and absorbed the sauce nicely. My friend got the short rib poutine (seasonal special) and it was really flavorful and rich. I would return to try the other menu items! read more

Oak and Ola - Charred Brussels Sprouts - New American Near Me - Tampa, Florida

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We love coming to Armarture Works and this spot on the River Walk! O&O is such a fun vibe - love the cool seating types and the indoor/outdoor patio is warm even on cool nights! The drinks are fun and inventive with some fun mocktail options! The service is attentive and friendly...what more can you ask for? read more

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My friends and I wanted a sweet treat for the night so we came by here for just that. We got the Chocolate Mousse, Sticky Toffee pudding cake, and the Basque cheesecake and all were delicious but the one that stood way out was the Toffee cake. The nuttiness of the cake and the creaminess of the ice cream really made the dish stand out and it was amazing. read more

Oak and Ola - Sticky Toffee Pudding Cake, Toffee Sauce - New American Near Me - Tampa, Florida

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Ricotta pizza = creamy cloud chaos that made me question carbs forever. Caprese = burrata's steamy love letter to tomatoes, microgreens photobombing like overeager groupies. Truffle fries? 18-minute hostage drama in a skillet. Our server? Awkward, menu-blind, and whispered like he was leaking CIA secrets... He... mumbled..."the pizza...comes with... barely audible... cheese. read more

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Excellent!! Phenomenal service, gorgeous place, & incredible food! We basically tried all the apps and I had the filet. Everyone else has the almondine snapper and they loved it. This is a redo spot for sure! read more

Virginia was amazing! Super knowledgeable about the menu and made some great recommendations. Will come back again if we can have her as our server! read more

Beautiful location, everyone is so lively and active but it's not too loud. 1. The setup and display of the restaurant is awesome look at the pics for more just so cool. 2. Service was pleasant she didn't check in too often and we needed to ask someone else for some help no worries. 3. The food was great tasting but the portions were way off, the amount of sauce and oil on my burger basically ruined the taste. It was a delicious burger that basically drowned and made it hard to eat or even hold. So other than the food being made in juice, the food and atmosphere was very nice, would come back but order something else! read more

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So this place is located in Armature Works (large warehouse food court). With soooo many options, this will be a good choice esp if you are looking for a sit-in restaurant. It's a full-service restaurant and you can enter the restaurant from outside or from inside the food court. It's very cute inside. I came here for lunch. The food was good. Everyone enjoyed their lunch. And the drink "jiggy with it" was sooooo good (has tequila). I would recommend. You can thank me later read more

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I took my wife to celebrate Valentine's Day and booked a 3:45 seating since it was the latest available. We were disappointed to find that only the weekend brunch menu was available at that time. The food was very good, but we weren't expecting to only have brunch options. We tried the Cheeseburger, which was good, but the Brussel Sprouts were some of the best we've ever had. The zucchini bread was a bit disappointing, but the Bread Pudding French Toast was also very good. Service was good and the atmosphere was fine but disappointed we could not try the other menu options. Maybe that was on us for not checking the menus but was disappointing on Valentine's Day. Overall we had a good experience and will be back to try the Brussel Sprouts and the dinner menu. read more

This place exquisite. I loved the tapas style plates and they offered larger portions if you didn't want to share. I loved the variety on the menu. The service exceptional. I really enjoyed the decor throughout the restaurant. read more

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We hosted a birthday dinner here yesterday (Monday) for one of our dear friends, and it was such a wonderful experience! The atmosphere has a beautiful, relaxing vibe right along the Riverwalk the perfect setting for a special night out. The staff was incredibly welcoming and accommodating to our group of 20+ women, which is no small task. They even printed "Happy Birthday" on the menu, which was such a thoughtful touch and made the night feel extra special. I had the hanger steak and it was absolutely delicious. Several of my friends ordered the chicken and salmon, and everyone raved about their meals. We ended the night sharing the toffee cake for the birthday celebration and it was truly to die for! We often host events for large groups of women, and we were beyond impressed. We will definitely be back! read more

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My husband and I came to Oak and Ola for a lovely Valentine's Day lunch. The vibes were awesome, we got a seat near the patio so we could enjoy the good views while not getting roasted by the sun. Service was amazing even on a day as busy as valentines. We started off with some cocktails and the Brussels sprouts. The Brussels sauce was delicious. Then we shared the lobster roll and the burger as mains, both of which were fresh and tasty. I recommend this spot at Armature Works for a great lunch with nice views. read more

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Had a fab meal here this past Fri night. We ordered the olives, Chicken Milanese and the pork chop. Both were delish and served quick / hot. Drinks were good, service was fine as well. They should leave the water carafes at each table rather than wait for the busy server to refill. Restaurant was pretty nice - they should add small tea light candles to the tables to step up their ambiance game. Minus 1/2 star but Yelp doesn't allow that. We were there celebrating something special which I wrote in the reservation but no mention of it by hostess or waiter. Great place still but just keeping it real - don't expect them to be excited for your special day. read more

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Oak & Ola, located in the Heights neighborhood of Tampa inside the historic Armature Works building, is a beautiful and spacious restaurant right on the riverfront. The setting is lovely - we relaxed in Adirondack chairs out front by the water before dining inside in a space that feels comfortable and inviting. (They also have an option to eat on the outdoor patio.) Service was excellent and attentive, and the lunch menu is very fairly priced. My husband ordered the fried chicken sandwich and said it was, by far, the best chicken sandwich he's ever had. I ordered the daily trio, which included lemon chicken orzo soup, a Caesar salad, and a chicken gyro wrap. The grilled chicken gyro on naan was delicious. The Caesar salad and soup weren't my favorites, but there is nothing to complain about. Overall, a great experience with excellent service in a beautiful waterfront setting. read more

What a wonderful experience we had. We came directly from the courthouse getting married to the restaurant. The staff and the chef were so intentive and wonderful to us. The chef came over and introduced herself said congratulations and even offered a free appetizer and dessert. The staff was so attentive to our every need. We will be coming back every year for our anniversary. read more

Oak and Ola - Dessert - New American Near Me - Tampa, Florida

The service was ok. The hostess were a bit different than what you typically expect but not rude but just different. Like not being able to get a high chair for the baby and the waitress was good about offering to get us one after we created our own but putting 2 chairs together. The food presentation was good but ok as far as taste. Not a wide variety of selection on the menu. The views are great of the area. The AC isn't very strong, coming from the one who is always cold so dress as such. But overall it was cool. Drinks are strong. I got really good feedback on what to order from the waitress. read more

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Had a wonderful brunch at Oak & Ola. From the moment we walked in throughout the meal the staff were friendly, attentive, and helpful with suggestions. The Eggs Benedict was a highlight of the meal. Two of us ordered it and found it flavorful, fresh and a big enough serving to fill us up. The rest of the meal was excellent and we had a truly lovely meal here. And the interior of the restaurant is appointed in a classy, not stuffy, decor. read more

Went to Oak & Ola for brunch and I was surprised that it was already packed on a game day. Love the atmosphere and his rustic the decor is in the restaurant. The server was nice. I ordered the whole grains bowl with 2 over well eggs. The bowl itself was delicious however the quinoa was undercooked. read more

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We were able to get a reservation on a Saturday and decided to go. It was good to have the reservation. We went in and they took us to our table which was near the open bar area. Oak & Ola is inside what was an old factory and warehouse. But under some updates it is a special place that you can see out in the open. Everyone goes here for a reason. The atmosphere and the food. Felix, or waiter, was very open and helped us, making suggestions on what was special for the evening and what they have available. As a habit, I asked what he likes and what he would have, He mentioned his choice and it is a good way to start. At least you know what the waiter would have if they were sitting down. To start, we ordered a beverage that would help us read the menu. And that menu is small but offers so many possibilities. You can try it as a regular meal, or you can choose it as a series of courses. Combine appetizers for a small course. Or try a large entree and some mid-level courses. It is your decision on what to do and when. This is a very open way to eat. With our wine in hand we made our order and the way to combine the dishes. That was not a problem and we waited. In the meantime you can see the chefs cook at the open kitchen and cooking area. The team is moving quick as more people enter to eat. Starting with the appetizers we had a combination of two dishes which definitely were different. First was the Roasted Pepper & Eggplant Zacusca. It is an array of goat cheese smear, carrot, pickled golden sultana and a mint salad, It is even topped with some crisp nan to break up and put the three items on at once. This is something by hand if you wish. It is light and tasty and has a fresh flavor. Along with this we had a mid-size dish that was fried or roasted. For us this was Spanish Octopus. This included chorizo, white beans, Tuscan kale, charred red onion with a hazelnut vinaigrette. The octopus was fresh. It is that simple. Grilled to the right point where the taste is special. This was not kept in the freezer. This was just caught and used. It could have been a dinner unto itself. This was a good way to start. Next we had the main course. It was a combination of two dishes we shared once more. It is a good way to eat together. For this we had Margherita Pizza. It is fresh Mozzarella, Italian tomato sauce, basil, Parmigiano - Reggiano and olive oil. The crust was perfect. It was freshly made and the right size. This was like a pizza you get in Italy or New York. The cheese was made that day. The sauce was ideal. It was light and flavorful and just enough to complement the dish. With this we had a pasta we never tried. White Lamb Bolognese is special. It is made with Australian ground lamb, fresh made rigatoni, leeks, cream and Parmigiano-Reggiano. We shared this dish together but it was ideal for someone who wanted a pasta dish to themself. But when the light flavor was combined with the pizza it was like having pasta with bread as anyone in Italy would do. It was great. Of course, once we were done we had to have dessert. Felix told us of the special and we said we would give it a try. This was a good choice in many ways. English toffee cake that was rich and tasty. Not sweet. Very typical if in Europe. It was topped with fresh whip cream and had a scoop of vanilla gelato to compliment. We shared this and that was good to do. It was a wonderful dessert to have after the meal itself. It was excellent. Of course, the double espresso helped finish the meal. Overall Oak & Ola is a wonderful place to visit and experience. The Chef is Anne Kearney. She is a James Beard award winner. She has a unique combination of styles and techniques from New Orleans to France and beyond. She creates a meal of taste and flavors and techniques that are hard to find. The menu is great. The pricing is very fair. The team is ideal to be with and they know everything. We thank them for their service. We are ready to go back and try something else on the menu. read more

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Oak and Ola was an unexpected 5 star for me! My husband and I decided to come here on a lunch date during the week spontaneously. We were greeted warmly when we arrived and our server was attentive the entire time. We ordered the spanish meatballs, margherita pizza, steak frites and the O&O burger. Everything was absolutely delicious. The spanish meatballs were definitely a favorite of mine and something I still think about. I definitely want to return back one day and try more of their menu. Highly recommend! read more

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This was one of my best restaurant experiences in the last few months. Top tier food, service, and vibes all around. I was visiting Tampa for work and a coworker and I just happened to come across Oak and Ola online. Came out kind of late on a Tuesday, around 8:30PM. Seated right away. Our server was fantastic. She was super knowledgable, skilled at her job, but also very friendly and personable. Total gem. Drinks and appetizers were great. I had the steak and beets for my entree and it was amazing. We realized that we were the last guests about 5-10 minutes after their closing time (10PM) but didn't feel rushed to get out of there in any way. The manager was super attentive to all guests throughout the night. The whole experience was slightly surprising because our Uber dropped us off at the front of the food hall that this restaurant is attached to, so we thought maybe it was a food hall booth. Ended up having an incredible dinner experience. read more

Yum!!!! Oak & ola is always a great experience - we started with French fries and the braised lamb and pita which was delicious. Then we each ordered our own meals - pasta, chicken Marsala & the octopus. Absolutely delicious. Our waiter gave different recommendations based on what type of mood we were in. Great group spot or intimate date night spot. Overall would come back! read more

Oak and Ola - Spanish Octopus & Chicken Marsala - New American Near Me - Tampa, Florida

I love the brunch! A few weeks ago we did a girls brunch at oak and ola and it was delicious! Service was amazing and I highly recommend the steak and eggs! read more

We ordered the lamb bolognese and the chicken Marsala.. both were yummy flavor wise- the chicken was a little overdone .. otherwise I loved the polenta cake, mushrooms and broccolini that came with it! The outdoor seating was great with a nice view! read more

Oak and Ola - Chicken Marsala and lam bolognese- outdoor seating with a nice view! - New American Near Me - Tampa, Florida

Super duper busy on Friday, Saturday, and Sundays. So many people come here to eat, drink, relax, and enjoy themselves with all that Armature Works has to offer. I started with $14 Brussels- very good, but not all timer. I'd say 7.5/10. Then, I had a Caesar salad. Very standard, but lots of great Caesar flavor. As an entree I had the $19 Oak & Ola burger. I liked it a lot. Would definitely come back for that. Service is very quick, but I sat at the bar. read more

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Talk about a great experience! The restaurant is very open, with variety of great seating options. I would highly recommend a reservation as it was incredibly busy. Started with some delicious cocktails. They were well balanced and delicious. Kevin did a great job with recommendations and suggestions. Appetizers included the gulf shrimp, brussels sprouts and the beet crab salad. The brussels sprouts were bathed in a sauce that was to die for. Loved everything except the beet and crab salad, lacked in seasoning and was looking for more of a conventional salad when it came to the greens. For dinner we had the special, a delicious white fish with risotto cooked to perfection. The steak was also incredibly flavorful. Unfortunately we did not have room in our bellies for dessert but I'm sure it would have been delicious as the selections were exceptional. The service was impeccable and each food runner went into a detailed description of what was dropped at our table each time food was delivered. Prices were very reasonable considering the amount of food we got as well as two drinks all ended up being under $85. 10/10 experience and I will certainly be back! read more

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We made Reservations for NYE and was told there was a Limited menu. This is a nice location with excellent wait staff. The cocktails were wonderful and all 5 of us enjoyed our meals. My daughter and I both enjoyed the salmon. And the guys all said their steaks and pasta entrees were good. Recommend for a nice romantic meal atmosphere. read more

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Oak and Ola is in my top 5 restaurants in Tampa. I love everything that I've ever ordered here, and no matter what anyone says, their toffee cake is the BEST I've ever had! read more

I've had lunches and dinner at Oak and Ola many times over the years however, today was the worst experience I've had since they opened. I was in the area visiting my daughter and decided to eat there over the other great options at Armature Works. Unfortunately, during this visit the service was not great as it usually is and our server Chrissy had a passive aggressive attitude the entire time. After ordering our food we waited 25-30 minutes for our hummus, and pita bread and another 10-15 for our main dish's. The reason I go out to eat is to receive good service which I'm totally willing to pay for but if a premium restaurant only had premium prices and not delivering premium service there's no reason to dine there. I hope this was an isolated issue and not where the business is heading. read more