3 /5 Onur Kutlubay: We visited Matisse Tavern and Grill on a Saturday evening and chose to sit outside. Even though it was a bit chilly, the outdoor heaters did a good job of keeping us comfortable, which made sitting on the patio enjoyable. The atmosphere outside felt relaxed and welcoming, and it was nice to watch the neighborhood go by while waiting for our food.
We placed our order around 7:25 in the evening. Unfortunately, the wait for the food was much longer than expected. Our meals finally arrived at about 8:30, so it took around sixty five minutes for everything to come out. That is a long time to wait, even on a busy Saturday night. The one thing that softened the frustration was that the manager came outside, apologized, and explained that the kitchen was very busy. That personal touch was appreciated and showed good hospitality.
For the food itself, I ordered the Masterpiece Burger. It was juicy, flavorful, and cooked very well. The toppings worked nicely together and made it a satisfying choice. My friend ordered the Bistro Steak Sandwich on ciabatta. The steak was fine but did not stand out. The meat could have been more flavorful, and overall it was just okay compared to the burger.
I paired my meal with an Allagash White beer, which reminded me of Blue Moon but lighter and easier to drink. My friend had the Whiskey Business cocktail and enjoyed it a lot, calling it smooth and well balanced.
Overall, the long wait for food was disappointing, but the burger and drinks helped redeem the experience. Matisse Tavern and Grill has a nice atmosphere and friendly service, but the timing and consistency of the kitchen could be improved.
