Born & Raised

We had a pre-Christmas holiday dinner on Thursday evening. We didn’t shy away from trying to eat everything 😉 from oysters, to steak tartar, pizza, gnocchi and more plus some incredibly tasty cocktails. Not one item we selected was bad. We struggled to decide which plate we liked best. Would happily go back. Also the service was great. No one was on top of us, they came by just enough, were friendly, helpful, and ensured we had a wonderful dinner. Highly recommend!

we came out for my birthday tonight and we had the best experience we’ve ever had out of all of our visits with our server Brittney! to start she was incredibly friendly and knowledgeable on the menu. She recommended great alternatives when the bar wasn’t able to make the original martini I wanted. We love the restaurant regardless and are always aware of the potential wait times due to how busy it is but her service was so prompt. we ordered cocktails, oysters, pizza and the gnocchi, the food is always a 12/10. we can’t wait to come back again!

Absolutely DELICIOUS pizza. Probably the best I have ever had in Hamilton. So simple but so delicious and flavourful. We did the pepperoni and margherita , and both were fabulous. Drinks were great, service was friendly and quick, atmosphere was warm and inviting, making for a lovely night. Highly recommend.

Born and Raised: Mixed Experience with Some Concerns

My recent visit to Born and Raised had some positive aspects, but overall fell short of expectations.

Pros:

Lively atmosphere: The restaurant had a fun and energetic vibe.
Excellent service: Our server was friendly and attentive, despite apologizing for slow food service.
Enjoyable appetizers: The Japanese beer and garlic parm fries were delicious.

Cons:

Overcrowding: The restaurant felt cramped and potentially unsafe due to the number of people.

Accessibility concerns: A chair blocking the entrance created problems for those needing assistance.

Unsatisfactory cleanliness: The downstairs washrooms needed better upkeep, with issues like broken doors.

Disappointing food:

Garlic bread was soggy and overly salty.
Pastas and meatballs were heavy and lacked quality compared to similar restaurants.
Mislabeled flat iron steak was small and overcooked.
Fries were too salty.
Automatic 18% tip: Felt inflexible and discouraged fair tipping practices.

Compared to recent reviews:

My experience mirrored several negative reviews highlighting a decline in quality, except for catering and private events.

Recommendations:

Consider pizzas and smash burgers, requesting less salt if needed.
The prime rib might be a safer choice.

Overall:

While some aspects were enjoyable, the overcrowding, cleanliness issues, and disappointing food led to a negative experience. Based on this visit and recent reviews, I cannot wholeheartedly recommend Born and Raised.

My husband and I have been so many times. One time will always stick out and that was when we sat on the enclosed patio on a day where it was pouring rain. The warm, romantic patio kept us dry. We watched the rain through the windows, it is a magical place to enjoy that time.

Food is always amazing. My husbands favourite is pork cheek and pineapple pizza and I usually opt for the truffle gnocchi. It’s fabulous. Service is lovely, the atmosphere and mood won this place as one of our favourite spots!