I appreciate the time you took to comment on my update, Betsy. It was never my intention to get anyone in trouble, and I hope that negative reviews here and there don't have an impact on employment. I just wanted to share my experience. I also think it's great that you support local non-profits. I always like to hear about businesses supporting their community.
I did want to note that the email address you contacted me on is my personal email address, not my work email address, and that it is not listed on my company website as you mentioned. I try to keep my work life and personal life separate. I'm not sure how my personal email address was found, but I appreciate your response on Yelp. I share things on Yelp and not through my personal email because it's an open dialogue, and I think the Yelp community should see the feedback from owners. This way things are out in the open and aren't removed.
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I am editing my review below because the owner of Acova was able to find out my full name and personal email address from one of her friends who recognized me from my non-profit work. I'm not sure how my personal email address was obtained since I only use my work email address when interacting with people through work.
I will edit the portion about waiting 15 minutes for the appetizer because in the owner's email she sent screenshots of time stamped video footage of me and my boyfriend at the bar. Although the appetizer was delivered quickly (which I miswrote below - I apologize), we did have to wait quite some time to place our entree order. The owner also told me that after watching the footage we never waived. Waived was the wrong word to use (she is correct), however, my boyfriend and I did ask each other a couple times if we needed to flag someone down to place our order. Instead of doing this, we said excuse me the other bartender who wasn't originally helping us, and asked if we could place our order because we had been waiting for a bit. The owner also mentioned that I looked happy/was laughing in the video footage and that we ate the food, so she didn't understand why I didn't complain. I was enjoying the company of my boyfriend and didn't feel the need to get angry over my experience, plus I was hungry and I hate sending things back. She is right in that I should've said something, but I didn't, and that is my fault. With those corrections made, I still feel the same way about my review.
When the owner emailed me, she asked me to consider taking down my review. Respectfully, I won't be removing my review. I joined Yelp because it is a community forum based off of subjective opinions and individual experiences where reviewers share their thoughts. Each person's experience varies and not all reviews are going to be positive. After the edits above, I feel that I have accurately shared my thoughts. The owner will likely comment after this review because she mentioned that she didn't want to have to post her findings on a public forum if possible, but just as it is my right to give my opinion, it is her right to give hers. I will also note that the owner did offer for me to come in and discuss this in person, but I will not be doing so (I do appreciate the offer).
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Maybe we can came here on an off night, but our experience was not great. We were staying at an Airbnb close by and thought we'd come check out Acova since they had such good reviews. We decided to sit at the bar since it was easy.
We were greeted pretty quickly, but after we got our drinks we had to wait at least 15 minutes to just order an appetizer, and we had to waive at the bartenders to get their attention (I hate having to motion for someone because it just seems so rude). The same thing happened when we went to order our entrees and when our water glasses were sitting empty. There were only 4 other people at the bar, so it was odd to have to wait for so long.
We decided to order the beer cheese appetizer. It was ok. The cheese wasn't that great, but cheese is cheese. We moved onto the short ribs and chicken piccata pasta. We were torn between the fried chicken and the pasta, but the bartender said the pasta was one of the best things on the menu, so we went for it. Not a good decision. The pasta was overcooked, the dish was a mess, and the chicken didn't look like it was cooked well (see the picture I posted). Fast forward a couple hours later and I got sick multiple times. Should've sent it back when it tasted funny, but again didn't want to be rude. The short ribs were pretty good, but nothing to write home about. We did like the risotto.
Again, maybe it was an off night. read more