Root & Branch bistro + bar

Review summary

1. OT

   OpenTable Diner

   VIP

   Orlando

   19 reviews

   5.0

   19 reviews

   Dined 2 days ago

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Great meal, love the atmosphere
   

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2. T

   Tom

   Orlando

   4 reviews

   3.0

   4 reviews

   Dined on December 14, 2024

   1. Overall 3
   2. Food 3
   3. Service 2
   4. Ambience 2

   We made a reservation and indicated that it was our anniversary. When we arrived, they did not seem to care. We were seated at a very small table and waited a while for service. Ordered a steak medium rare, but it was well done. They don’t seem to care and pretty much ignore you. Will not be going back.
   

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3. B

   Barry

   Orlando

   13 reviews

   3.0

   13 reviews

   Dined on December 13, 2024

   1. Overall 3
   2. Food 3
   3. Service 2
   4. Ambience 1

   Upon arrival, I was surprised that the lighting was so bright. As it was a 6:30 pm reservation, I assumed the lights would be set at a dining light level. When I inquired about the lighting, I was told they are always set at that level. We were seated and waited 5 minutes before anyone addressed the table. When the server came over she asked if we were ready to order, she did not ask if we wanted a beverage or cocktail. I asked for a Negroni, and she returned several minutes later to advise that they were missing an ingredient and could not create the cocktail. She offered an Aperol Spriit which aligns with an Italian cocktail but has a different flavor profile. I ordered a vodka rocks with olives and she brought out an Old-fashioned. She said they had a new bartender and she would get it fixed. The Wedge salad we ordered as a starter was fantastic. My wife ordered a BBQ chicken flatbread that came out burned and was sent back to be prepared properly. It took 15 minutes for the entree to be returned. I ordered the Bourbon burger and received a Waygu smashed burger. I did not send it back. The fries were unfortunately cold. I had high hopes for the experience as I had been reading great reviews. Our server was very nice and took $7.00 off the bill. The server offered a dessert which we declined. The manager said hello upon arrival but was not made aware of the poor dining experience.
   

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4. T

   Terri

   Orlando

   3 reviews

   5.0

   3 reviews

   Dined on December 8, 2024

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 4

   We love this restaurant. The food here is excellent as well as the service. Smash burgers, biscuits and gravy, shaved beef sandwich were great. Don't forget to try the brussel sprout and fried green tomatoes appetizers.
   

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5. A

   Alan

   Orlando

   51 reviews

   3.0

   51 reviews

   Dined on December 7, 2024

   1. Overall 3
   2. Food 4
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 2

   We’ve been going to Root and Branch since it opened. It has changed ownership during the last year and we wish them great success. We have always enjoyed the service, the recent visit we were taken care of by George, he is always on point, great hospitality. The food is typically well executed and delicious. Most items are overpriced compared to current equal caliber restaurants and today’s cost structures in the restaurant industry. They have a very good bar program, selection and pricing. We are concerned for their success as we feel they risk pricing ( food) themselves out of business. They should truly consider more moderate pricing strategy coupled with more advertising ( social media). Half full on a Saturday night in mid December is not a plan for success. Two easy things to fix: 1. It is always so bright in there, dim the lights, 2. You never can hear any music. Overall atmosphere and ambiance matter in enjoying your experience , easy fixes that don’t cost you any money. The owners have upgraded the chairs, more comfortable, black linen tablecloths and nicer curtains. We hope they make it. Clermont needs restaurants that are a cut above.
   

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6. J

   John

   Richmond

   2 reviews

   1.0

   2 reviews

   Dined on December 6, 2024

   1. Overall 1
   2. Food 1
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 2

   Ordered the shrimp and scallop pasta in lemon cream sauce, there was no taste to anything on the dish. My wife had the lamb ragout and gnocchi, I’ve never seen such large gnocchi. They were the size of a silver dollar but 3 times as thick, not ideal to get the cook right. They were overcooked, slimy and mushy. The ragout was good, but nowhere near the $46 they are charging for this meal. To their credit they did not charge me for the pasta, but it was a very disappointing experience.
   

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7. S

   Sandy

   Orlando

   1 review

   5.0

   1 review

   Dined on November 28, 2024

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 4
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 4

   Wonderful first time experience with Thanksgiving dinner with intentions to return their on the holiday. Excellent service with George as our waiter. Prime rib was excellent along with the garlic mashed potatoes.
   

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8. M

   Margie

   Orlando

   1 review

   3.0

   1 review

   Dined on November 24, 2024

   1. Overall 3
   2. Food 2
   3. Service 3
   4. Ambience 1

   Bright lighting for fine dining. Paid for Wagyu and extremely disappointed; asked for medium rare and it was medium well. Potatoes were cold. Overpriced for mediocre food. Second time in a while and not what I remembered.
   

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9. C

   Cindy

   Orlando

   1 review

   5.0

   1 review

   Dined on November 23, 2024

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   We celebrated my parents’ 50th wedding anniversary at Root and Branch. Lisa, our server, was splendid, and Chef Dave’s food tasted phenomenal! Thank you for our extraordinary experience!
   

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10. a

    anonymous

    VIP

    Philadelphia

    38 reviews

    3.0

    38 reviews

    Dined on November 15, 2024

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 3
    4. Ambience 2

    This place has sooo much potential, but not likely it will ever evolve. Read to the end to discover why. It’s got great decor, but lacking in ambience because they have the lights on full tilt…like eating in a school cafeteria. Perhaps lower the glaring lights and take the time to turn on the little candle at each table. We tried to turn ours on but the battery was dead. Regarding the food: The butternut squash soup was fabulous with chunks of squash. The salmon was excellent - crispy on the outside, perfect temp on the inside. The mashed potatoes with the salmon were good but a bit on the cool side. The beef short rib ravioli was unique and nicely plated. They were large, handmade ravioli stuffed with tender beef short rib, topped with butternut squash and sweet potatoes, a delicious fall dish. Brussels were very good! The bread pudding dessert, unfortunately, was burnt, and as a result, dry. See attached photo. Service was just ’ok’. He lacked any server type of personality, but got the job done. When I asked to speak to the manager just as we were ending our experience there, our waiter appeared and said he was one of the managers. Hmmm, seemed odd, but ok. I shared with him something I don’t want to post on this review as it is unflattering to the place, but we wanted to enlighten them about their restaurant, and he just blew us off. Wonder if he even thought that maybe I might leave a review about what I shared with him?? Well, his nonchalant attitude did it. We will not return.
    

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