The first problem here is the location. Father's Table is located in a strip shopping center beside Goodwill on 221. My morning commute takes me from Ivy Hill to the Expressway. As much as I might want to stop for a coffee and donut, it is almost impossible to make the left turn into or out of this parking lot. Even at light traffic times it's hard.\r
The interior is dark and the accoustics make it difficult to hold a conversation. Their website says they have a comfy and welcoming dining area. Not true. The chairs are uncomfortable and it's not a place that visually invites you to settle in. (The Muse in Wyndhurst is a good example of a comfortable place to be.) There is no music. The website also says there are great smells. Wrong. No smells at all. Any place this small baking fresh bread would smell like fresh bread! Or cinnamon - or chocolate!\r
The counter people are dressed like chefs for some reason and the woman who waited on me had shoulder length hair worn down with no hat. She also did not wear gloves when boxing my purchase. \r
The bakery items are about 60% donuts. Everything else seems like an afterthought. The first time I bought donuts they were fresh and good. The second time they were smaller and stale. My companion had a danish which was hard and stale. The coffee is good but nothing special. (Again - go to The Muse if you want exceptionally good coffee).\r
I LOVE bakeries - the first thing I find in a new city are the bakeries. I really hoped FT would be wonderful, but it's pedestrian. I haven't had the lunches because they are expensive, but they may be great. Don't know. The service is pleasant, but not remarkable. Honestly, you can get everything they offer at the new Kroger in Forest.
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