Broad Street Downtown Market

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OPEN NOW - Closes at 8:00pm

Broad street market’s new “Underground” is located in the basement where it rightfully belongs. The basement has always been a place to put the left over things that have no right place in the living/functioning quarters of a home or business; this is the Underground. There is a complete mess of hole in the wall bar meets upscale food meets night club music that leaves everyone confused as to where they are and what they are there to expect. It felt like the leftovers that held no place in the little bar/shop upstairs.

If one was to look at the menu they would think that they were going to a nice, casual dining sort of place, perhaps a café meets a family bar and grill. I was told to go there because of their great food, I was dissapointed. When we walked in the first thing I noticed was the horrible painting of a grieving woman and child that looked like it was taken out of an inner city in Guatemala. The second was the stage set amongst the tables and chairs that looked like they could be taken away at any moment to make a mosh pit or dance floor. Behind that there was an upper scale looking lounge area surrounded by dart boards, pool tables, and confusion. I proceeded to hope that the food would trump the ambiance.

After informing our overbearing waiter that it was our first time there and we had no idea what to expect he did not find it necessary to let us know that in twenty minutes they would be turning the lights down so low that we would barely be able to see the food in front of our faces and the music up so loud that we would certainly not be able to hear each other. He took our our order and we waited, and waited. The food came out cold, with cooking toothpicks still stuck in it. The flavor was well intentioned by a cook that appeared to know what s/he was doing, however it was extremely misplaced. Here I am presented with a fine plate, well garnished, with nice food (that would be well at home in a fine dining establishment) to the tune of Godsmack and flashing disco lights. There were no booths, there was no quiet dining area, just anxiety and animosity. After I brought my dissatisfaction up to the waiter nothing was done, I went upstairs to the store/bar to speak to a manager. Upon being presented with the owner I expressed my dissatisfaction with the ambiance, food quality and misleading nature of his new “Underground.” He informed me it is a night club, not meant to be a restaurant and that the food he served is top quality, there could be nothing wrong with it. I postulated why there was meals like “Parmesan encrusted chicken stuffed with feta” and waitresses if it is only to be enjoyed as a night club. He brushed me off without an apology, without a sense of remorse, without any offer to fix my situation. I was told this is his place, like it or leave it.

I have never experienced worst customer service in my life. I certainly wasn’t expecting fine dining, however I did not think that being treated with respect and dignity, like a human being was too much to ask for a $50 dinner. Seeing as how this was the level of care and concern that I received from the OWNER I can promise you I will never go back, and I urge you not to either, unless you’re looking to get wasted with a bunch of teens to the tune of angry rock music.