Oh Forum, Forum.
I really want to like you.
Your atmosphere is simple and chic. Your cocktails, beer and wine list are extensive without being overwhelming. And your menu is tasty and intriguing.
But your service…oh your service needs work.
Sunday, after the Home Show, David and I decided to use up some of my gift cards that I had received for Christmas. Since we’re moving away from the city, now is the time to use up the gift cards while we’re still close. I had a few from Forum, so we decided on that spot.
When we arrived, at first, the doors were so heavy that I didn’t even think it was open. Someone finally came out to “check out the weather” and we were led in. The bar was busy, since it was the NFL playoffs, but the dining room in the front of the restaurant was wide open.
I liked the little pops of color.
For a beer, I had asked for the Rapscallion Honey Ale. The waiter left, then came back to say that the tap had been dry since the night before. Ok, no big deal. My next choice, I actually can’t remember the name, and the beer list isn’t on their website. But it was a nice and light beer.
For a starter, I decided on the Boston bibb lettuce with white balsamic vinaigrette, pickled red onions, goat cheese, toasted almond and fine herb.
Again, I LOVE Boston bibb lettuce! It was so butter and delicious and the dressing covered it perfectly. The goat cheese and almonds were the perfect touch.
Not too long after, and while we were still eating our starters, our dinners came out. No big deal. We were hungry. 
I ordered the braised Cornish hen in red wine with confit of heirloom potatoes, celery root puree and carrots.
I loved the slight gaminess of the hen and it complimented wonderfully with the cool, refreshing flavor of the puree. I’m sometimes cautious when ordering something with bones in, in case I can’t get all the meat with a knife and fork. But this dish was fall of the bone and delicious.
At this point, I was all for getting dessert, so we asked for the dessert menu.
Then we waited…and waited…and waited. It was probably a good 5 minutes before he came back. By then, we just wanted to go home and decided to get a pint of ice cream at Shaw’s and share, instead of bothering with dessert.
I then gave him some gift cards to ring through. That alone took about 5 minutes as well. Then he proceeded to tell me that the way the gift cards work was that he would have to manually put in the tip so that he can deduct it. He asked me what I would like to leave for a tip. I told him we were leaving cash. Is it just me, or is that just something you don’t ask a guest? We asked to just have our final check, but that never even came. We finally gave up and left. As we were leaving, we told him that he didn’t have to bother with getting us the bill; he was reading a magazine.
When all was said and done, I was so disappointed in our experience. I had heard good and bad things about the restaurant, but with the delicious food, I was so hoping for the complete package. Maybe if they can improve their service, it will be.
Forum is located at 755 Boylston Street in Boston’s Back Bay.
