Where do I start... the drinks, well my drink was good. We came during July's restaurant week, our first time. The restaurant was not busy. We were sat near the patio door which would have been fine except it was hot outside and the staff and patrons kept going in and out making our AC area warm. We ordered drinks and put in our 1st and 2nd course orders. We got our drinks and bread and then waited, and waited... about 40m only to be told the 1st course of our choice was no longer available and they had chosen an alternative for us.
I also failed to mention of the 3 options for 1st course only one was available. Which I didn't want but they did gladly substitute for something I did wish to eat. (This gained Cimi the second star, the first was the atmosphere, the restaurant is beautiful.)
However, once the 1st course came, 4 minutes later the 2nd course came. In my experience, that's usually not how apps work but ok. They did offer to take the 2nd course back while we ate our apps. I declined, cause what are you going to do put it in the microwave to warm it up? All the dishes were already cold. Go figure.
Once finished, maybe 20-25m later, we placed our dessert order. And waited and waited, about another 25 or so minutes. I asked for a to go container and our checks as soon as the desserts were placed on our table... and then waited and waited again.
Now, after seeing probably 3 different servers help us, if I am not mistaken our actual server was bartending as well, not knocking the hustle but we didn't get much attention, we were forced to pay 18% gratuity. I generally like to give 20% or more if it's earned, but nope this experience was very lacking for such a nice place.
Unpopular opinion, if you are going to force gratuity, just include in your prices, don't have your patrons pay it, and pay your employees. Just saying...
We were not informed of any delays until it was too late. My water glass was completely empty before I had to say umm "May I have some more, please?" When asked about the 18% it was standard practice for their restaurant, umm do they do that now? Feels to me you can give a crappy experience and you still get a decent tip?
Trust, I am patient I understand the pandemic hit everyone hard, but this was pretty bad. I mean such a nice restaurant and the service and food lacked AND you have no choice but to do the 18%. read more