Sean Lee

Review of The Porch at Schenley

We went for lunch on a Monday, arriving around noo...

We went for lunch on a Monday, arriving around noon. The dining was lively, but there were plenty of open seats.
Lunch is conducted in an inventive manner, that would be welcome if not for the poor service. One orders from the counter and a server brings food to your chosen table - much like Panera.
We ordered two pizzas and a soup, paid including tip, and chose a lovely seat. The wait seemed an eternity, around 30 minutes. A lunch crowd had descended on the place, but this should be predicted, as it happens everyday.
Service was indifferent, with the knowledge that tip has been prepaid, the staff wasn t too motivated. When I asked a server about our order, a perfunctory glance at the kitchen and a dry it s coming put me in my place. The food came, eventually and unenthusiastically relieved the server of the burden. They never came back. Good riddance.
What is the point of tipping? Why not just call out numbers and we can fetch our own food, as we do our water.

The food was very good though. We had the Mediterranean and the Fall pizza. Crust was light and crunchy. Flavors were balanced. Presentation tasteful.