We attended the night of their Halloween party, which we were not told about, and treated like filth. They honestly shouldn't have opened for service ahead as I think this was the main issue. That is, however, not our fault and they have done nothing to resolve the situation. I sent the attached email, which has been ignored so am now leaving a review:
Hello,
I hope this email finds you well.
I am emailing as my partner and I had a very uncomfortable and disappointing time at your restaurant yesterday evening. I typically do not follow up, especially as I know it was the end of a long bank holiday, but the time at 777 made us feel incredibly undervalued and spoiled the last evening of our 3 week break in Ireland so I felt it appropriate to reach out.
To say first, the cocktails were incredible. I am from Austin, Texas originally and I haven't had such a fantastic margarita in a very long time. The Lobo Verde was spot on and I was super impressed. The bartender (a person with sugar skull makeup and long dark hair) was also very polite to us.
Unfortunately, however, this is where any positive experience ended.
We were sat just before another two groups of two at the bar. We could see that it was busy, and we have both worked as waitstaff, so although we had been sat for around 10 minutes without anyone speaking to us we waited as the bartenders seemed busy and it didn't seem appropriate to order from them.
The two other couples near us, however, very rudely waved and raised their voices at one of the bar staff (a man with a black fringe vest and curly hair) to order their drinks and food. Although we had been sat first, this couple proceeded to have their drinks and first plate of food brought to them before any staff ever spoke to myself or my partner. When we finally asked the same bartender if it was okay to order through the bar, we were told we could but that our sever would be with us shortly.
When we were finally served our food, it was also very disappointing. The seared tuna tostada was topped with tuna that was so cooked through I thought it was chicken at first, there was no pink left anywhere and it was not flaky or tender. The nacho plate was burnt and served in an incredibly hot dish, which we weren't told when it was placed in front of us, so my partner ended up singing their arm. The nachos were also topped with quite brown guacamole and it was all concentrated in one area, so the crisps were soggy in one place and blacked in others. The potatoes with jalapeño cheese sauce had really nice flavour, particularly the sauce, but there was not much of it on the dish.
We ended up ordering another cocktail anyway, because the atmosphere was nice and the drinks were well made. We noticed that about 20 minutes after we had ordered that round from a waitress (whom I had to hail over despite being surrounded by empty plates and drinks glasses for some time) there was a table who appeared to be staff who were grabbing drinks for themselves off the bar and taking them to their own table although we had yet to receive ours.
We also noticed that the place was clearing out, and no new tables had been sat for some time, despite it only being around 8 pm. The tables that had left were being left dirty, and despite us being left with no service nor the drinks we ordered that the staff who had been out of sight were beginning to reappear with makeup on. We then flagged down the host and asked after our drinks, which he said had never been put through the till. We asked if they were closing early and he said they were getting ready for the party that eve (which we had no idea about).
Whilst I understand that the party was planned, we felt that we were a burden and had been left to the side rather than simply being told there was a party and that service would stop at a specific time. When we were brought the bill we were questioned as though we were trying to not pay for drinks that we had gotten, and told that there was nothing that could be done. I was also told 'I am not giving you any money back' before asking for anything from the host I asked to speak to outside about how we were made to feel.
When you don't have much money, are on your first holiday in 3 years in the middle of a cost of living crisis, and have chosen to treat yourself to something for which you are then made to feel like you are not good enough to have it can spoil an entire experience. Overall we were made to feel unwelcome, as though we weren't good enough to be in the restaurant, and as though we were not wanted as customers due to how the staff perceived how we might be able to pay. For an almost €100 meal that we were so looking forward to from the beginning of our holiday, this was hugely hurtful. The experience had a tinge of classism, and the poor quality of the food could have been forgiven if it weren't for this and how it made us feel.
... read more