I have been a fan of Cafe Amsterdam for about 10 years. The Thai Chicken Croissant, Bavarian Apple Cake and Benedict Mollusca (the only things I order) are delicious and the service is great, though a bit slow.
Since I don't go very often (maye about 3 times per year), the prices haven't bothered me much. Recently, though, I met a couple of friends and their daughters there for lunch. I was upset that my friend (who is Gluten and Dairy free, so couldn't order most things on the menu) had a $50 bill for the following: a goat cheese and olive platter ($15) had coffee ($2.50 for DRIP!) and a breakfast plate (2 eggs, ham and potatoes, for $12) and her daughter had a sandwich ($14). PLUS a 15% gratuity since there were 6 of us. Sigh. I have been raving about this restaurant for years and she wasn't impressed. Understood, in light of her diet, and I wouldn't have even considered that if it hadn't been for the following:
Before my friends arrived, the host seated me. It was a fairly empty dining room: me, a couple to my left and 2 ladies near the wall. While i was waiting, I heard raised voices. when I looked up from the menu, I realized that ALL of the staff were now in the dining room. Even the kitchen staff. Everyone was keeping their voices low and not yelling except one lady. I figured this lady was having a bad day and someone needed to reign her in and make her go to the kitchen or something. This went on for several minutes, with the lady pretty much losing her mind on the rest of the staff. Very unprofessional. I was embarrassed for her. The other customers were just as uncomfortable as I was. Just about the time I started to get out of my chair and tell them that this had to cease, the whole thing just stopped.
At that point, i SHOULD have texted my friends and told them to meet me elsewhere, but I didn't. I will forever regret that.
Instead, I chatted with my friends. As they arrived, I kept wishing that someone would at least offer us water or coffee or take an appetizer order from us. After several minutes, I had to wave down a staff member just to get some water on the table. I realize that he thought we were waiting on people, but I really wish that he had asked us what we would like to do.
During our meal, I asked the staff to see a manager. That never happened. At the end of the meal, when we were paying our bill, I asked again to see a Manager. A very nice young lady, who has been my server before, came over. I said: "Oh, I didn't realize that you were the manager - i would have simply asked for you". She said (sincerely, and with a smile): "I'm the closest thing to a manager you're going to get". I told her what I had witnessed and said that the owner needed to have a talk with that lady who caused all of the commotion. I was actually not surprised when this "manager" said that the woman who caused all of the fuss IS the owner. I told her that I would be willing to speak with the owner. She said "Well, I will tell her that", but from the look on her face, I gathered that there was no way the owner was going to come speak with me. If she had, I doubt it would have gone well. If she was that way in front of cutomers in the Dining Room, what would she have been like one-on-one? Not that I couldn't have handled it, but I'm pretty sure I would have gotten no satisfaction. When I told the "manager" that I hope this kind of thing was an isolated incident, her face fell and I knew the truth. Sad.
Here's the thing, folks. Since that day less than a week ago, I have told many people my story. SIX of those people had stories of their own, OR they, or someone they knew, had worked there and quit because of this business owner.
That is ABSURD.
I am no longer a fan of Cafe Amsterdam.
I'd like for other people with similar situations to come forward. This is a small town. Reputation is EVERYTHING. There are far too many good restaurants with excellent leadership, who treat their employees well, for us to frequent this one and encourage poor treatment. This isn't a Third World country, where this is the norm (though it shouldn't happen anywhere). And we vote EVERY day with our dollars.
Do NOT go to this restaurant. The owner needs to get a grip. These people aren't making enough money to take this kind of abuse. Why should SHE profit? read more