Undercover Diner Visits Truss (twice in two days)

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2204 Bedford Ave, Lynchburg, VA 24503 https://www.trusslynchburg.com/

Five years ago, there were just a couple of casually upscale restaurants in Greater Lynchburg. However, since then, more have emerged to enhance our dining options. Among these new establishments is Truss, which opened in June 2023 on Bedford Avenue.

I regret only recently visiting Truss for the first time. Initially, nothing on the menu piqued our interest, typically prompting thoughts of heading to our usual favorite spot instead. Thankfully, we decided to try it—admittedly, much later than we should have.

My spouse and I arrived for our 6 PM Saturday reservations—earlier than our typical dinner time. The hostess was exceptionally welcoming and made it clear that they strive to accommodate all guests, even those without reservations, setting a positive tone right from the start.

Our table was across from the bar, where pairs of seats are closely arranged. It was not communal seating, but the proximity felt sociable. With the dinner rush yet to peak and only one other couple nearby, we requested to move one table down for a bit more privacy, which the accommodating hostess arranged without issue.

Our waiter was both attentive and engaging, enhancing our experience with his French accent—an uncommon delight in Lynchburg that added a touch of authenticity. Our drinks varied from simple iced water and tea to draft beer and an espresso martini.

For dinner, I indulged in the scratch pasta with Sweet Briar College swiss chard, mushrooms, and cream, while my spouse opted for the Truss burger, featuring a house-ground beef patty and local ingredients. I started with a vibrantly colored and delicious salad.

The main courses were served promptly, tasted wonderful, and were perfectly portioned. The positive experience prompted us to return the very next day for Sunday brunch, breaking our routine of rotating among the same three post-Church spots.

Our Sunday server lacked the French accent but was nonetheless excellent, ensuring another delightful visit. While I have found kimchi additions in Western dishes at other dining establishments less appealing, the Kimchi Reuben sandwich I tried at Truss was exceptionally tasty, although I still prefer traditional presentations of kimchi.

My spouse ordered Vanilla French toast with fresh berries, whipped yogurt, and bacon with a side of breakfast potatoes and she proclaimed it to be "the best." Part of her joy stemmed from requesting extra crispy bacon, which was promptly delivered as requested.

While our experience at the restaurant itself was top shelf, a notable concern arose about Truss's online presence. Although the clarity and presentation of their website was good, the brunch menu page fell short of expectations. There were text errors on the menu that lead to garbled characters and symbols that affected five of their brunch items making some unreadable. Some believe that like an employee representing the company, a website should ideally convey information clearly and accurately. This discrepancy between the online and in-person experience was confusing, and hopefully, by this post, this part of the menu is corrected.