We went to Set which is now Encore on 4th before a concert on December 6th at the Palace We knew it might be a little slow since they had just reopened under new ownership but for convenience sake took a chance. Bad, bad idea! Our food was very slow coming out and when we asked the waitress Allie (sp) to check on it She was rude and condescending. She never apologized for the food being delayed nor offered us another drink while we waited. When we asked for our check because we were on a time crunch she delibertely took her time cashing us out. The diners next to us said the same thing She actually had the nerve to confront one of our diners in the street afterward because one of our party left a $2.00 tip because of her attitude. As for the owner, Timothy, when asked why the $10 beet salad which had 2 beets and a few greens was so small he replied"that's the way it is." Ultimatately, he took the salad off our bill but argued with us about the portion size and got very defensive. He also bad mouthed the previous owner to me on the phone when I called to confirm our reservation which should have been a red flag from the start! Overall, one of the worst dining experiences ever.
STEPMO87
I do not like leaving negative reviews..but after Saturdays dinner experience at SET I have to. I will first like to leave the few positive comments I do have. The restaurant is neat in appearance. Decorated nicely with a modern barn feel. The cocktails tasted great and the appetizer was good. This is where my positive comments end. Upon arrival we were greeted by a hostess explaining a limited menu, due to changing over to a new restaurant name? I decided on the fish tacos and my girlfriend got the fried pork chop sandwich...both were horrible. The limited menu was a piece of printer paper, that had only names, no description of the entrees. My bill was $60.00.
Jami
Made a reservation for 6pm for an 8pm show at The Palace. Place was empty when we arrived and they attempted to seat on practically ON the band. Upon request for another table they said all tables were reserved...yes so was our table...with the reservation I made. Service was good at first but went way downhill as it got crowded. A drink order (margarita and a draft beer) took over 25 minutes to arrive. The waiter was very flustered and said the bar was backed up. Well, yes it's a Friday night and there's a show across the street...I'd expect that's not the first time the restaurant has had to deal with those things. Most of food was delicious with the exception of one plate that, if we had time, would have been sent back. The corn cake was way over cooked and void of flavor. My compliments on the collars though, they were delicious. Overall, I'd expect a restaurant that operates across the street from a venue to be well prepared to handle a crowd but it was not. I'm sure they are only surviving because there's no competition in the area.
RondaS
We had great experiences at SET in the past and suggested it to friends for dinner before a show at The Palace. This visit was like a different restaurant. We were not aware that the menu is different on show nights, that was not the case when we were there on a show night a few months ago. None of our favorites were on the shorter menu. Service was slow — we were told “everyone came at once.” That is probably to be expected on a night before an event across the street. Plan for it and don't make excuses. We could have overlooked the slowness, although it did make for a stressful dining experience, wondering if we were going to have time to eat. However, the food was not worth the wait. Our group had fish sandwiches, fish tacos and fish and chips. My fish was dry and had been cooked too long. The fish in the fish and chips was not cooked long enough. Only the fish tacos were acceptable, but the portion size was very small for an entree. We were offered more to drink when we didn't need it, but no one was around when we did. Our server got us our ticket quickly and was the only bright spot of the evening. Such a disappointment. This place has so much going for it — I hope things improve soon.
DebbieB
The worst experience ever! Food awful and very disorganized and unprofessional. Will never return! Totally embarrassed I took my friend before an event and celebrate our birthdays.
TammyH
Dinner before Josh Turner concert at The Palace. Had to adjust our arrival time by half an hour. Hostess was very accommodating. Server was EXCELLENT! Good food. Just didn't realize that there was a minimized menu on show nights. Had my taste buds set on a hot brown. Have to come back for that!
AACC
Service terrible. 45 minutes to have order taken. Another 20 minutes to be told what we ordered was not available. When food finally came, only part of order arrived. Bill came before food.
bistrostillok
my meal was mediocre --fish sandwich, starter was edible, but the so called garlic fires had no garlic and were soggy, even the replacement fires fresh out of the pan were not worth eating--green chili wontons were fair at best, but my friend's choices were not--her wedge salad was only so so and the corn cake tower tasted like cardboard. she ate less than half the salad and only a couple of bits of the corn cake thing. all in all a terrible experience--for $65, and even had it not been so high we wouldnt go back and have told all our friends
MaurineW
majority of wines asked for on wine list not available, salads good, hamburger had odd taste, and my meatball appetizer i ordered for main was weird, also i did not feel well later that night and was worried about the food, which my husband mentioned to me too
The only reason I chose that I would recommend SET to a friend is because the food is pretty good. We went before a show at The Palace and made reservations to sit at the bar. When we got there, the hostess said "Well, I guess someone took your spot" and didn't seem concerned in the least. They ended up giving us a table in the back room. The service was slow and the server didn't seem to mid. The green chili wontons were warm (at best) and way overcooked (#notBristolsgreenchiliwontons). We sent them back and they came out hotter but still overcooked. Two tables were served their entrees before we received ours (we were seated well before them) and we had to ask where our food was. Again, didn't seem to concern the server. After again having to ask for our drink, it was almost time for the show so didn't really have time to enjoy. I ordered the fish tacos which were delicious. I also asked for the house seasoned chips and only got the "chips" - no seasoning. And that was after I didn't receive them with my tacos! My husband ordered the Cunningham's fish sandwich which was, again at best, warm. Overall, the atmosphere is good and I'm sure the rest of the menu is fine as well. I just would NOT recommend going before a show or you might be disappointed...as we were. To end on a good note, however, our bill was cut in half so that helped!
food4fun
Very disappointing experience. Four of us dined and all entrees were sub par. Sliders had little excitement, (perhaps add a Hawaiian roll as a bun?) fish tacos were dry, no salsa was detected and very little cabbage or topping was present. Few gluten free items were available and the wait staff, although friendly, was not knowledgeable about gluten content. While he cheerfully asked the chef, my only option was the salmon which came out dry and uninspiring. One bright spot was the cotton candy horse head for dessert. Although not on the menu, it was indeed a treat for my daughter who picked this place after seeing they offered the cotton candy. The restaurant was busy, assuming due to the proximity to the Palace, but I doubt many people would return after their first time there.
DoWe
Gave us an menu that was outdated and many items were no longer being offered. When we went to order, more items ordered the kitchen was out of at 5:30 PM. After waiting 20 minutes, the server came out to the table to ask us to change our order again because they were out of more items from the menu.
What a fun evening! The food was splendidly prepared and the plating was excellent. We loved the dramatic, distinctly Kentucky atmosphere. Our waiter was personable and the service from everyone involved in making our dinner experience was excellent.
Don't go before an event at the Palace. It took 25 minutes to get a drink. Have been twice before shows at the Palace and both times we had reservations and both times the bar was a total wreck. Servers don't feel like they can ask bar to speed up drinks. Poorly managed. Will never be back.
Awesome Mexican food and friendly
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
We went to Set which is now Encore on 4th before a concert on December 6th at the Palace We knew it might be a little slow since they had just reopened under new ownership but for convenience sake took a chance. Bad, bad idea! Our food was very slow coming out and when we asked the waitress Allie (sp) to check on it She was rude and condescending. She never apologized for the food being delayed nor offered us another drink while we waited. When we asked for our check because we were on a time crunch she delibertely took her time cashing us out. The diners next to us said the same thing She actually had the nerve to confront one of our diners in the street afterward because one of our party left a $2.00 tip because of her attitude. As for the owner, Timothy, when asked why the $10 beet salad which had 2 beets and a few greens was so small he replied"that's the way it is." Ultimatately, he took the salad off our bill but argued with us about the portion size and got very defensive. He also bad mouthed the previous owner to me on the phone when I called to confirm our reservation which should have been a red flag from the start! Overall, one of the worst dining experiences ever.
I do not like leaving negative reviews..but after Saturdays dinner experience at SET I have to. I will first like to leave the few positive comments I do have. The restaurant is neat in appearance. Decorated nicely with a modern barn feel. The cocktails tasted great and the appetizer was good. This is where my positive comments end. Upon arrival we were greeted by a hostess explaining a limited menu, due to changing over to a new restaurant name? I decided on the fish tacos and my girlfriend got the fried pork chop sandwich...both were horrible. The limited menu was a piece of printer paper, that had only names, no description of the entrees. My bill was $60.00.
Made a reservation for 6pm for an 8pm show at The Palace. Place was empty when we arrived and they attempted to seat on practically ON the band. Upon request for another table they said all tables were reserved...yes so was our table...with the reservation I made. Service was good at first but went way downhill as it got crowded. A drink order (margarita and a draft beer) took over 25 minutes to arrive. The waiter was very flustered and said the bar was backed up. Well, yes it's a Friday night and there's a show across the street...I'd expect that's not the first time the restaurant has had to deal with those things. Most of food was delicious with the exception of one plate that, if we had time, would have been sent back. The corn cake was way over cooked and void of flavor. My compliments on the collars though, they were delicious. Overall, I'd expect a restaurant that operates across the street from a venue to be well prepared to handle a crowd but it was not. I'm sure they are only surviving because there's no competition in the area.
We had great experiences at SET in the past and suggested it to friends for dinner before a show at The Palace. This visit was like a different restaurant. We were not aware that the menu is different on show nights, that was not the case when we were there on a show night a few months ago. None of our favorites were on the shorter menu. Service was slow — we were told “everyone came at once.” That is probably to be expected on a night before an event across the street. Plan for it and don't make excuses. We could have overlooked the slowness, although it did make for a stressful dining experience, wondering if we were going to have time to eat. However, the food was not worth the wait. Our group had fish sandwiches, fish tacos and fish and chips. My fish was dry and had been cooked too long. The fish in the fish and chips was not cooked long enough. Only the fish tacos were acceptable, but the portion size was very small for an entree. We were offered more to drink when we didn't need it, but no one was around when we did. Our server got us our ticket quickly and was the only bright spot of the evening. Such a disappointment. This place has so much going for it — I hope things improve soon.
The worst experience ever! Food awful and very disorganized and unprofessional. Will never return! Totally embarrassed I took my friend before an event and celebrate our birthdays.
Dinner before Josh Turner concert at The Palace. Had to adjust our arrival time by half an hour. Hostess was very accommodating. Server was EXCELLENT! Good food. Just didn't realize that there was a minimized menu on show nights. Had my taste buds set on a hot brown. Have to come back for that!
Service terrible. 45 minutes to have order taken. Another 20 minutes to be told what we ordered was not available. When food finally came, only part of order arrived. Bill came before food.
my meal was mediocre --fish sandwich, starter was edible, but the so called garlic fires had no garlic and were soggy, even the replacement fires fresh out of the pan were not worth eating--green chili wontons were fair at best, but my friend's choices were not--her wedge salad was only so so and the corn cake tower tasted like cardboard. she ate less than half the salad and only a couple of bits of the corn cake thing. all in all a terrible experience--for $65, and even had it not been so high we wouldnt go back and have told all our friends
majority of wines asked for on wine list not available, salads good, hamburger had odd taste, and my meatball appetizer i ordered for main was weird, also i did not feel well later that night and was worried about the food, which my husband mentioned to me too
Restaurantji Recommends
The only reason I chose that I would recommend SET to a friend is because the food is pretty good. We went before a show at The Palace and made reservations to sit at the bar. When we got there, the hostess said "Well, I guess someone took your spot" and didn't seem concerned in the least. They ended up giving us a table in the back room. The service was slow and the server didn't seem to mid. The green chili wontons were warm (at best) and way overcooked (#notBristolsgreenchiliwontons). We sent them back and they came out hotter but still overcooked. Two tables were served their entrees before we received ours (we were seated well before them) and we had to ask where our food was. Again, didn't seem to concern the server. After again having to ask for our drink, it was almost time for the show so didn't really have time to enjoy. I ordered the fish tacos which were delicious. I also asked for the house seasoned chips and only got the "chips" - no seasoning. And that was after I didn't receive them with my tacos! My husband ordered the Cunningham's fish sandwich which was, again at best, warm. Overall, the atmosphere is good and I'm sure the rest of the menu is fine as well. I just would NOT recommend going before a show or you might be disappointed...as we were. To end on a good note, however, our bill was cut in half so that helped!
Very disappointing experience. Four of us dined and all entrees were sub par. Sliders had little excitement, (perhaps add a Hawaiian roll as a bun?) fish tacos were dry, no salsa was detected and very little cabbage or topping was present. Few gluten free items were available and the wait staff, although friendly, was not knowledgeable about gluten content. While he cheerfully asked the chef, my only option was the salmon which came out dry and uninspiring. One bright spot was the cotton candy horse head for dessert. Although not on the menu, it was indeed a treat for my daughter who picked this place after seeing they offered the cotton candy. The restaurant was busy, assuming due to the proximity to the Palace, but I doubt many people would return after their first time there.
Gave us an menu that was outdated and many items were no longer being offered. When we went to order, more items ordered the kitchen was out of at 5:30 PM. After waiting 20 minutes, the server came out to the table to ask us to change our order again because they were out of more items from the menu.
What a fun evening! The food was splendidly prepared and the plating was excellent. We loved the dramatic, distinctly Kentucky atmosphere. Our waiter was personable and the service from everyone involved in making our dinner experience was excellent.
Don't go before an event at the Palace. It took 25 minutes to get a drink. Have been twice before shows at the Palace and both times we had reservations and both times the bar was a total wreck. Servers don't feel like they can ask bar to speed up drinks. Poorly managed. Will never be back.