10/10/09

Disappointment. Don't Bother

by meeks8

I could write a novel on all the things that went wrong at this restaurant, but I'll try to keep this brief. I made a reservation online, however, it did not go through to their system. The manager told me "That is why I hate our online system... Oh, and by the way it's been down for a day and a half". Wow. Thanks for putting a disclaimer about that on your website and not offering an apology. We later overheard him arguing with the table next to us after they complained that there food was cold, bland and they had been there for an hour and a half. He did eventually offer them an apology, but not without being a defensive jerk first. So, the manager was clearly clueless. Our waiter exhibited rude and odd behavior the entire time. 1) It took him 15 minutes to even acknowledge our presence. 2) I was finishing my salad (which came at the same time as our appetizer and took 30 minutes) when he came up and said "Wow, it looks like you are actually going for that last piece of lettuce, so I'll wait here to take your plate". I was in such shock, I put my fork down and handed him my plate without saying anything. 3) He threw 3 loaves of bread on our table when we hadn't finished the first one. 4) When he brought the paid check back, he said "which one are you" while waiving the check back and forth between my husband and I before finally put it down in the middle. He didn't tell us to have a good night or even say goodbye after that. Not to mention that he never checked on us or asked how our food was. He'd throw something on our table and literally run away.The bread, salad and shrimp cocktail were good, but the entree (a simple tomato and basil pasta) was ridiculously bland. Bottom line: It is shocking that this long-standing Columbus institution is, in fact, a long-standing Columbus institution. DO NOT GO HERE. We certainly will never go back.

• Pros: Good Bread, Salad and Shrimp Cocktail
• Cons: Horrible Service, Rude Management, Overpriced, Bland Entree

02/14/09

Waited 2 hours for some of the worst food in Columbus

by markjbecker

Mussels, not bad, tomato sauce little burnt. Salad dreadful, no "blue" in the blue cheese and smoother in oil, just avoid. Crab cake, if there was crab in them, had a dominant herb flavor that was soooo bad no one at the table could eat them. They were substituted for raw scallops which were also sent back. There seafood stew was essentially the mussel dish with pasta and shrimp thrown in. The lamb amazingly after, such a long wait were on the rare side of really rare. The problem, they were very fatty, which doesn't work well when you don't cook them fully.

We had to get the manager to try and get our dinners after 1 hour and 40 minutes. The waiter dissappeared, I am assuming because he was so embarrassed. This left us sitting there with no wine, water, bread and butter or anything else for an hour. Although the manager was nice and was sorry, even if service had been good, the food was just horrible.

• Pros: Close to my new home
• Cons: food and service

05/20/08

Be careful

by Eattae

We have eaten at Bexley Monk several times over the years. Once upon a time it was outstanding. It then deteriorated to dreadful. I have not eaten there since new ownership/management/chef has taken over.

My son ate there not long ago in party totalling five (5). The menu alerted to an 18% tip for parties of six (6) or more. The waitress arbitratily added 20% tip.

The last time there was dreadful. My wife ordered scallops which were severely overcooked. They were as rubbery pucks. Where is Alton Brown when needed?

We are butter addicts and were served some kind of yellow spread which was whipped and served in a bowl. It simply was not butter. The meals were $21 each. If they want to serve partially hydrogenated stuff, then say so and we can bring our own butter.

In all fairness, I spoke to a person who had eaten at Bex Monk, had ordered the scallops (post new owner/manager/chef) and I was told the scallops were excellent.

This is not a discount restaurant. I am more of a quality food guy than a Martha Stewart ambience one. If your partner is turned on by ambience and you can afford the prices, go for it. Again, I've not eaten there for a while.

2008-05-20-3-2034 -0400

• Pros: Free parking
• Cons: Overcooked food and lack of butter

10/19/07

Great food, good service, but a little pricey

by 3diningdivas

The 3diningdivas started their culinary quest tonight at the Bexley Monk. The appetizers (Garlic Hummus with flatbread, and Mushroom Medley) were awesome! One diva had Lobster Ravioli, another had Rib-eye steak with garlic mashed potatoes and asparagus, and other other had Veal Farfalle. The dinners were great, but we thought they were a little high priced for the amount of food you get. The desert was great! The carrot cake was to die for (very moist) and the Porchette was heavenly. Overall the service was good (our waiter was real nice at first but soon forgot we were there), the food was awesome, but the prices were a little high. Overall, we would go back. Look out Columbus, we are on our way to tasting all of what you have to offer us!

• Pros: Great food, free parking, and beautiful atmosphere
• Cons: A little too expensive and noisy

01/05/07

Disappointing: Overcharged and Insulted

by michaelstamm

My extended family and I had a very disappointing experience at Bexley Monk. Upon my suggestion we decided to try the Monk for Sunday brunch. Throughout the meal we found the food to be average and the service to be adequate. When we got the bill we were surprised to learn that we had been grossly overcharged for our meal. We had been careful to take part in the scaled down version of the buffet style brunch (versus the more expensive full meal version). When we raised this issue with our waiter he indirectly accused us of helping ourselves to the more expensive meal. Attempts to clarify our position were ignored. Not only were we overcharged for a very average meal but we were insulted in the process. We left shaking our heads at the idea that any restaurant could treat customers in this way.

Our experience helped make clear why there was only one other table of patrons in the restaurant that morning.

• Pros: Only Bexley destination with full service brunch
• Cons: Average food+poor customer service+expensive=poor value

08/05/06

A great Sunday Brunch.

by buckeyegal91

I've been coming to the Monk for years and have always loved it. Great food, great people, great prices. Now they've added a fabulous Sunday Brunch Buffet. I just want to thank them for adding this wonderful new reason for coming to the Monk - you've made Sunday mornings in Bexley much, much better.

• Pros: Great food at great prices. Love the brunch.

07/06/06

Wow - was I impressed!

by jdeman

It had been awhile since my last visit when things seemed a little so-so. But what a change there has been in the old Monk. Some new folks have revved it up again and now it's better than ever. Food is fabulous, wine list much improved and wait staff are actually smiling and helpful. They have a Sunday Brunch that's to die for - eat out on the outdoor patio and enjoy the gorgeous flowers and plants. Put the Monk on your - Must Visit List! You won't be sorry.

• Pros: Great food, live music, beautiful patio
• Cons: None - I loved it!

04/30/05

as good as ever

by chadb56

having grown up in Bexley and dined at "The Monk" since it opened it's doors over 20 years ago, I am pleased to say that it is returning to it's former glory. The bar staff is openly friendly and mix a mean martini, the wine list is also top notch. The food/menu is also coming around again. I say try it if you haven't been back in a while. There is a reason it keps getting a Top Ten nod every year!

• Pros: friendly staff, wood fired oven, steaks

03/12/05

my absolute fave!

by 2Amie

I have been going to Bexley's Monk for years, and have never been disappointed. I have ordered pan-seared tuna and wasabi mashed potatoes (it's a special) on my last two visits....it's fish that actually melts in your mouth! I would also recommend asking the chef to make his steak topped with crab meat (which he has done for my husband when it hasn't been a special), which is heavenly! Lovely atmosphere, and a great cocktail/ bar area.

• Pros: great value

11/19/04

Outstanding and reliable, this Bexley eatery holds a perennial spot on every local food critic's Top 10 list.

by Contributor

The Scene
The dining room is wood-paneled with a formal feel, in contrast to Monk's big, popular bar that routinely serves full-course meals. If you want conversation, opt for the dining room; if you're out for a good time, head for the bar, where local, professional jazz players perform nightly. Monday nights can be hilarious when patrons are encouraged to take the mic and do a number.

The Food
Patrons are crazy for the Caribbean spiced shrimp appetizer--the biggest you'll ever find--served with fresh pineapple salsa. A recent menu addition is a grilled pork porterhouse with sun-dried cherry-apple chutney. Lamb lovers appreciate the perfectly turned-out racks. Pizzas take on woody flavors from the oven. The favored version here has a heavy pesto base over a thin crust, topped with artichokes, veggies and mozzarella.

• Pros: perfect night-out spot