Michael Forbes Bar & Grille

Great chicken wings! Housemade chips are a refreshing change from chips and salsa. I had the pulled pork with fries. The pulled pork was not very impressive. The sauce left much to be desired. The fries were fair, they make them on the darker side. Still i liked the ambiance and good service. I think I will try again.

Until last week, this was my favorite place for dinner. So homey and warm. But my last visit ended with me leaving the restaurant in tears after an unbelievable run-​in with the hostess and a server. Our food was 40 minutes arriving despite repeated promises that the food was coming right out. When it did arrive, it was wrong. When I said so, the hostess lost it, went into the kitchen and returned with 2 baskets of potato chips that she shoved in my face. She was so nasty. She appeared to be shaking with anger. I don’t understand how a meal can be so late and you become furious with the poor customer who is there to pay your salary. I am not responsible for the kitchen! I am so heartbroken but I won’t ever be back. I would be afraid to see that woman again. She is scary.

Only rating mothers day brunch
Mothers day brunch was very disappointing. We have been there for dinner, lunch, as well as happy hour and have always liked it. Biscuits were dry, bacon was cold and the sausage had no flavor. Didnt try anything else (was over it) Mom ate maybe four bites. Very sad to spend over $ 100 for three and then have to go somewhere else to eat.

Everything is great about Forbes except for the food — it lacks consistency. Tonight, I swear the vegetables, which included green beans and zucchini were previously frozen (not so the broccoli). I can stay at home, eat a better meal, and save money.

First visit. Fun staff from the moment we walked through the door and really good food. I had the Greek salad, which I would recommend. Not overly dressed and tasty! Will be back!

Had a Denver omelet with great hash browns and eye toast. Nice coffee, friendly service from young Jake. I am taking a customer here tomorrow.

It’s really too bad the service is so lame. We’ve been 3 times since the fire and the service is always spotty. Some servers try and some don’t. The food is much better since the fire… but the service, ugh. No water or chips for our table tonight. Had to ask another server for water. Had to ask our server for chips and a wine refill. Again had to ask the helpful (not ours) server for the wine as it never came. Train the waitstaff please!

The fire in my belly is burning as hot as the fire that should have put this place out of business forever.
I wish Michael Forbe’s was good. I really do. Sadly it doesn’t live up the name sake. I’m sure Mr. Forbe’s is rolling in his warm meatloaf grave.
Today’s visit (our last!) was some of the least attentive service I’ve received in a long time. A server dropped off our complimentary chips without saying a word and then walked away. Came back a few minutes later and dropped off three waters and then left. Came back a few minutes later for our drink order then left. Came back a few minutes later to tell us they have a special Philly Cheese Steak today then left. Came back a few minutes later to get our order then left with phlegmy coughs as she crossed the room.
At this point our water glasses are empty. Every other table has a bottle of water. Where is our waitress? Hacking coughs let me know she is still in the building but nowhere to be found. Finally I see her and ask for some water as she’s walking by but I guess she couldn’t hear over the din of silence. She headed on over to the host stand and violently jabbed at tables in the seating software. She was punishing them tables like she was trying to defeat the ghosts of previous 10% tips.
Food was brought out by a middle aged man in a polo shirt and the hostess. Asked for water and he brought us a nice cool bottle. Thanks, man! Only highlight of the meal.
Waitress finally comes to check on us. A raspy, «How’s everything?» was thrown our way. She neglected to take the empty chip basket and french dressing containers from the end of the table. Less than 5 minutes later she was back with same gravely «How’s everything?» Still the basket remains. She did clear everything off the table promptly once we were all done eating. I am assuming they have a «remove no empty dish until the party is completely finished» policy. «Want some apple pie?» No thanks. Just a check.
Food wise the fish tacos were OK. A little bland but not bad. The black beans on the side were inedible. The chips greasy and heavy. The Mediterranean wrap gave my wife diarrhea. Horrible chill inducing diarrhea.
The fire and remodel has not benefited the ambiance at all. My wife referred to the décor as the spacial version of muzak. Neither interesting or offensive. Very light love making R&B started playing right as our meal was ending. Wish I could give a half star for that.
I really wish we had more local places in Waldo/​Brookside that weren’t bar food and didn’t dole out grievous helpings of dysentery.

FYI, this is a gay bar which I have no problem with just alerting the masses. Got the chicken fingers which were pretty good, sauces were good but ordered the garlic fries and they were terrible. Chardonnay was good and cold.

Exceptional service = exceptional experience. KYE is the absolute above and beyond best server! His level of service is incredible and elevated beyond today’s standards. The food is OUTSTANDING! The atmosphere is so enjoyable! I highly encourage you to have the experience of a meal here.

This restaurant is amazing! The wait staff is fabulous and the food is amazing. I recommend the catfish! Fried crisp, and deboned at the table!
Go see Lisa!

Whoa! Whoa! Whoa! Whoa! Whoa!
Mr. Forbes??? What is happening here??? Hold on just a minute!
It was just a few short weeks ago that we were reviewing your re-​opening to be tremendous and your food and staff to be phenomenal. Today is St. Patrick’s Day… NOT the day to be letting product /​staff /​experience slip!
First, the new hostess, she may leave now. She argued with us. Not once. Not twice but three times. No, she didn’t have a booth available. M’dear, your restaurant isn’t a ¹⁄₃ full and I can count 4 open booths — yes you do. Secondly, I’m not your «dinner rush» group, we are a party of two — no, you will not seat us by the door on a cold and windy night. No. And when I say no, I mean no. Don’t argue with me. On that note, dear hostess, when you take me to the crappy wobbly table for two by the kitchen door, dare you roll your eyes and exhale exasperated as though I am a problem. No I will not sit by the door and no I will not sit by the kitchen. You have 10+ available tables, 3 appropriate booths — YES, I do get one of those. No, you may not be angry and shoot attitude and slam menus just because you were trumped in the fact that I will not take an inferior table because you are too lazy to sit us in a place we request and that is readily available. While I’m ranting — your attire could improve greatly. You are the face and smile of this restaurant — dress for the job.
Our waiter, Jake, was a joy. Smile, good attitude, accommodating and overall just a pleasant person to be around! He is a keeper! He took our order a timely fashion, delivered our drinks and they were magnificent!
When ordering our food I was very specific to make sure that I ordered a hot meal. There’s nothing more aggravating than having cold fries served with your hot dinner. Jake was very accommodating and made sure that he noted it.
Our meals arrived and the disappointment continued. My sandwich was not what one would consider room temperature. The meat was cold, the artichokes were cool and the bread was nothing impressive — soggy if anything — why would a person order hot fries and wish for a cold sandwich?
Jake willingly had my sandwich remade by submitting the request to the kitchen. After a few further bites of french fries I realize that they were not actually fresh… They were microwaved, rubbery and stale. Unacceptable.
The disappointment finally peaked.
The lovely restaurant manager, Kathy, who we had not once seen on the restaurant floor the entire night finally stopped by the table. Her unapologetic apology was icy, her defense of the originally served product was unprofessional and the newly made sandwich was accompanied with nothing — not silverware or fries. Really? Punished for not wanting hot-​but-​microwave fries? Absolutely unacceptable — at this point our ears are red and we just want to get out of Dodge.
I choked down half of the lukewarm remade sandwich. I actually took the time to explain to Kathy that a real restaurant, such as the chain restaurant across the street, knows how to serve a hot meal by warming the entire sandwich through. She stared at me blankly and continued to babble — we finally gave up — wasn’t worth the useless battle.
Our check came. We paid full price, $ 40.99 for the CRAPPIEST meal I’ve had in ages in KC. AND FOR THE RECORD, WE PAID FOR A MEAL WHERE THE FLOOR MANAGER VISITED OUR TABLE TWICE AND I WAS NEVER SERVED A SATISFACTORY PRODUCT. I PAID FOR A MEAL I ACTUALLY NEVER RECEIVED SATISFACTORILY AS A WHOLE!
Mr. Forbes… we are proud of our neighborhood and local businesses… what is happening here??? Disappointing. Unprofessional. Unacceptable. Ridiculous!

We loved this place! Valet is always a bonus for me, the atmosphere and ambiance were nice, the food was SO good! I had the steak gorgonzola and loved it. They kids food was really good as well. Jenny (our server) was amazing and the owner or manager was also so nice! Highly recommend and will be back!

Restaurant Week: Very impressed with every course. Crispy Shrimp was amazing. Best Greek salad that I have had in a while. Restaurant is a bit tight, but very friendly service and casual. I always worry about overcooking my rare steak, but they nailed it on my Steak Demi Glacé. Wonderful experience from greeting at the door through desert.

Meet nine friends here for lunch today. We all ordered different orders. Every order came out on time and warm. The waitress was very attentive to our requests. I have lemon friend artichoke hearts and they were delicious! Grilled chicken sandwich with Jelly, bacon and lettuce on it. The chicken was cooked perfectly and moist when I took a bite. The jelly was an amazing surprise. Everyone ate everything on their plates with no complaints.
Given it a four star instead of five for two reasons; which are bad, it’s just what I would like to have seen changed.
1. My water glass was never refilled. None of the parties were. We could have asked, but we were really the only table in the place and shouldn’t have had to ask.
2. The onion straws I ordered were good, but they could have been much more crisper for my preference.
I’d return here. It was nice and clean and food was what was expected for this type of establishment.
Note: A fellow Unilocaler pointed out to me that there is usually a bottle of water left on the table by the wait staff. I may have overlooked it. (3−20−16)

The wife and I thought we would try it out last night I would say the food is average at best nothing to write home about service was good drinks were excellent and great priving on those. Would I go back? Yes but definitely wouldn’t be my first choice on a night out…

Okay — I’ve had some time to chill before writing this review, and it’s a good thing, because I probably would have went with one star.
We have given this place three separate trials under the Michael Forbes name, since its former original name/​ownership– that was wonderful, I might add, — and each was a «meh» experience every time under the new ownership/​name. The first two experiences where just incredible slow service from the wait staff.
Although, the last dining experience really set me off though. I say this because we dropped over $ 85 (with alcohol) and the overall experience was not even close to worth what we spent! In fact I wanted to call the manager the next day and tell him to go down to the Crossroads and eat at Anton’s Taproom so he/​she might have a better understanding of upscale priced dining and to take a lesson from them. Service is very much a part of the dining experience and Michael Forbes is not even close to a pleasant experience.
Here is the reason for my 3 Star review: I called the restaurant on a Friday for a reservation and specifically asked for a table up front, near the windows. We arrived a bit early, so our table was not ready, understandably, and we waited in the bar. We waited 30 minutes past our reservation time — so of course, there truly was no table reserved. We got the table next to the kitchen– with wait staff constantly going in and out by us, obviously it was nowhere near the windows, as requested? Our waitress was less than stellar.
The kicker is that I ordered the most expensive item on the menu and did NOT RECEIVE the entire meal that was listed on the menu. What the heck? Honestly this has never happened. I was presented with a steak and asparagus (which I requested and happily paid for the upcharge on the asparagus) in place of the vegetable that came on the menu.
I was sure there was something missing though? Potatoes of some sort? The plate just looked empty? It even seemed like the waitress should have noticed this right away before putting it in front of me.
She left so fast and then crickets. I waited, and waited, and waited for her to reappear but she never came and my food was getting cold. I finally just ate and by the time she did finally come back to our table– I had ate half of my meal. I advised that I thought the steak came with potatoes or one other item?- can I see the menu? After offering to check.. . 10 minutes later she returns and admits that the plate was missing the potatoes. She offered to bring them out– but I had already ate almost all of my other items on the plate. I would have preferred a partial refund but this was never offered?
My husband and I both left feeling like this was an expensive evening out and not at all worth the price tag.

Michael Forbes re-​opened its doors September 28, several months after a fire temporarily wiped out the Brookside eatery.
We dropped by for lunch on the 30^th. We had a great waitress, who was very helpful and informative. She explained the new menu and pointed out new fixtures, china and upholstery.
Our lunch started out with complimentary in-​house-​made potato chips & onion dip. My husband liked them so much he ordered them as the side to his Brisket (in-​house made) Burger, which was topped with house-​made bbq sauce, Cheddar cheese and onion straws. He ate the whole thing in about 2 bites, all while making yummy sounds.
I had the Macaroni & Cheese, which was enveloped in an addictive creamy, cheesy sauce and sported loads of bacon and smoky ham. I brought a healthy portion of it home, which made a terrific lunch the next day.
If you have never been to Michael Forbes, drop by; if you are an old friend, drop by, you will not be disappointed.

Well, very disappointed…
From the outside, I dont know why I assumed, it was a nice place, but I was wrong. It was dingy with dust everywhere, literally you could see it on the plants and lamp shades near the tables.
Beyond that my expectations were even lower when the waitress brought out the huge laminated menu that was an over priced looking Fridays’ equivalent. We ordered drinks and got an appetizer anyway. Why we decided to get the ahi tuna I dont really know, but we figured try something that wasnt greasy at least.
It came out as fast as we ordered it like it was back there waiting, sitting, and made for someone else. I was completely unappealing and inedible. You literally could not cut through the tuna!
We ended up getting the check to go somewhere else — we didnt complain, I mean it is what it is. The waitress asked what was wrong and we told her, she apoligized and to her credit she was wonderful. She went back wiped our bill and her and the manager came back apologizing prefusely and gave us a 10.00 ggift card to come back and try again. Wonderful gesture for sure, but unfortunately I will never return ever. I would like to spend money in Brookside elsewhere for sure — super disappointing

Imagine a Chili’s or an Applebee’s. Now imagine those places with less blaring music and fewer tchotchkes. You’ve just imagined Michael Forbes. I’ve been here a few times because it’s in a neighborhood I frequent, they’re close to my church and have a Sunday buffet, and they’re often on Groupon.
I’ve never been upset with my food or experience here, but I’ve never been absolutely blown away either. The food is pretty much what you’d expect, choice-​wise, but the curried chicken (which is offered as a sandwich or a salad) is absolutely dynamite– it’s the highlight of their menu– I recommend it highly.
Our service has always been good, although the last time we were there, our waitress never refilled my mom’s coffee. She did refill the sodas other people had, but only after she asked ‘refills?’ I’ve never understood why some servers do that– if it’s free refills, and we drank it all, then OBVIOUSLY we want refills, right?!
All in all– 3 stars because the parking can be tricky and the outdoor seating area is awkward & crowded, but 5 stars for the curried chicken.