Cheers! To the first restaurant review on here!
In this series I’ll share my experience at restaurants, eateries and food trucks dotted across the island of Newfoundland (NL) and hopefully different parts of Canada. Lucky #1 on our list is Brewdock! A beer bar and eatery located downtown St. John’s, NL on Duckworth street. It’s quite an easy place to spot. It’s a bright orange building calling on you to come in for a drink.
The Environment
The weather was great so it was only obvious that we sat outside. The beer garden was pleasant. Plenty of benches and tables, potted plants and flowers, and a fence decorated with outdoor string lights. A very simple and inviting aesthetic. The fencing also separated the garden from the high-traffic Duckworth street, so even though you’re outside, there’s a sense of privacy.
Drinks
It’s a beer bar, so they have a selection of ciders/beers on tap, some wine and a few cocktails. My partner had a Beer-Mosa and I had a Brewdock Gimlet. Both were enjoyable and refreshing. I would go back for the gimlet. Sweet and tart with a hint of lime. The Beer-Mosa was good, a decent wheat beer slightly sweetened with orange juice.
Food
Now…this is where it gets…interesting. I went in expecting a menu with some good bites to pair with a good drink.
We’d scoped their site before heading there and were pleased to know they offered an “All Day Menu”! All boxes ticked! Food, drink and outside seating, check…check…check!
Upon arrival we wasted no time and asked to sit outside. We scanned the barcode on the table and had our menu in hand. Bear in mind, I already knew what I wanted to try!
When the server came by our table, we ordered drinks but then we were handed a very basic burger menu. “We have a pop-up today, we’re serving burgers from this menu. I’ll give you guys a minute.” Then our server was gone in a hurry.
We actually hadn’t understood so assumed if we wanted burgers it was on this separate menu. We proceeded to pick from the “All Day Menu” scanned from the barcode. When she returned she clarified, burgers only from the other menu today. We were already settled and the thought of hunting for parking was enough for us to settle for burgers.
The menu choices: Classic Burger (single or double patty); Cheese Burger, Double Cheeseburger.
We ordered one Classic Burger and a Double Cheeseburger. The only available side, for an additional cost, were fries.
The food came out in no time, 10-15mins at most. The cheeseburger looked delicious, but with the first bite, my lips puckered at how salty it was! The Classic burger was not salty but my partner simply described it as “meh”.
A disappointing experience after drooling over several pictures on Google reviews.
Service
Our server, who seemed to be in a hurry, took the order but because she didn’t take note, she had to quickly turn back to ask what my partner had ordered again. The server did return towards the end to ask if everything was ok. I’d say the service was average. Order was taken, executed, and that’s it. Quick and distant. (Yes, we did leave a tip.)
