my spot ??....right???. in the past, i have been here quite a few times, i mean this is my spot?? right?? in the past you were offered water and bread. bread usually was a sweet potato biscuit, some kind of herb infused roll, biscuit and/or corn bread. this has been everytimei have been here since this place opened. we never got the water. usually bread is served with a maple type of whipped butter. we only got corn bread once we asked for it with plain butter..the server stated "she wasn't going to make any (bread) tonight, but i''ll go see". the menu has changed quite a bit (which i understand because they are kind of like farm to table) however the price jump is unexplainable. my catfish was 26 dollars (online it states $19 which is what i have paid in the past), was suppose to come with hoppin john and brocolli (instead i got pretty tasteless black beans and rice) and no vegetable was offered??? usually when you order an entrée you got the choice of two sides. my meal order was not placed at thetimemy guest was, so i waited an additional 20 minutes.
the manager apologized quite a bit and gave me a free dessert. they had very good customer service recovery. the banana bread pudding with pineapple and caramel sauce...usually comes with ice cream. no ice cream , the bread pudding was very tasty and nice pippin hot, it was delicious. our server well she was very new i suspect and may still be in training. this is my only not so pleasant experience with this place. perhaps they are falling on hard times, hence why so many cut backs (no ice cream, no water, no bread, no sides with entrees, no brocolli?) may i suggest they take down the menu on their website, because the price jump between what they have online verses the actual menu is quite steep. i paid 26 dollars for what is advertised as $19
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conclusion, i want this place to stay open, i want them to figure out what they need to do so they can continue to succeed without breaking their loyal customers pockets. i suspect this was just not a good night for them?? they also may need to improve the training of their new employees. overall i would recommend going here. they last 20 times i have been here before this experience, the food and the service were excellent> so i will not give up on them . very nice entertainment of local artist on saturday nights. i highly recommend the liberian greens, kale salad, all the small plates, biscuits especially the sweet potato biscuits and the fried catfish.
-----22 dec, 2013-----
i am so proud. the ambiance is low lighting in a café type setting, surrounding you are photos and art work of many genres of music spanding from barbra streisand to bob marley. it is the cutest and coziest of spots. we were greeted by the wonderful hostess for the evening and seated immediately for a reservation. our first course were the chic and waffles with rosemary maple syrup--so light and not greasy, all 3 accompanied each other extremely well. vegetable pave was layered veggies with local cheese, veggies were done perfectly and the cheese was not overpowering. the herb and soul rolls (jerk chic, collards and yams) in spring roll was divine. then entrees, herb roasted chicken (fell off the bone moist), fried catfish (not greasy, seasoned to perfection), collards were delicious, mac n cheese--wonderful, kale salad with a twist (use duck fat) was tasty tasty tasty. then dessert was bread pudding with vanilla bean ice cream-- this was addictive, buttery, light, and extremely flavorful. this was an absolutely wonderful evening. we had a chance to chat with one of the owners, found out some history about the place, you will have to visit to get the details. she was a delight, and the young people in the kitchen can cook an serve very well. yes this is my favorite!!! thank you herb and soul for your commitment to serving soul food truly good for your body and your soul!!!