This is more than a shoutout... it is a full-on, well deserved tribute to Sully's Bistro in…read moreSuquamish.
This review will be a bit long, but I feel it's important to acknowledge when businesses go well above and beyond... into orbit in this case. Not only did they work to exceed expectations, but to set the ultimate standard for customer service and to demonstrate a commitment to caring for people beyond the customer-business relationship.
This post is also a message both as an endorsement for diners, but also an advisory to every other business in this county. Take note - this is a roadmap for how you win forever customers:
Last Saturday, my daughter got married in Poulsbo, in a ceremony that involved guests from Alaska, California, and Colorado. On the Sunday morning afterward, my wife Gayle and I threw a brunch celebration for our out of town guests as a thank you for making the journey for our daughter's special day. We made the reservation back in February in order to ensure they would have room for 20+ guests. At some point between then and now, Sully's decided to stop serving brunch. We didn't need to be their problem. It would have been easy to call or email us and let us know that our plans would have to change... with sincere apologies and an explanation as to why - blah blah blah, and with enough notice to get a reservation elsewhere, maybe.
They didn't.
In fact, they didn't even tell us they'd stopped brunch service. Some of our guests were calling us and asking: "Hey, Google says they're closed. Are you sure about this?" We didn't know, but figured we'd show up and find out.
Instead, Sully's made sure to have enough staff a few hours early on Sunday, enough food, broke out the old brunch recipe book and dusted it off, and cleared the patio and set it up. All of that work just to ensure our guests had brunch. And a fabulous time. This was solely for our benefit. They weren't going to make a lot of money on just our party. Truth be told, they might have even lost some on it. They could have just shrugged us off. But they honored their commitment, even though it was a hassle, and a lot of extra work. Even though it meant knowing they'd have to special order food just for us, even though it meant more expense. And - not to belabor the point - they trusted US to honor *our* agreement to come. They hadn't taken a deposit. We could have ghosted them, especially if we'd believed Google's page saying they were closed. After all, we were strangers to them. But they treated us like family.
And then...
...they crushed it with the food, the drinks, the service. They setup a special U-shaped table, complete with linens and flowers, and showcased a view of the Duwamish Sea that is unmatched in Kitsap County dining. I'd list all the food items and give a review - each one a culinary gem. But that would be cruel. I'd be bragging about food we had that won't be available to the community at large again (unless they bring back brunch... pretty please). No, what I wanted to call out was how deeply touched my wife and I were at their willingness to honor their promise, our reservation, and then go the extra mile to make it special. They didn't have to. But they did. And our guests were incredibly impressed, both with the food and the service.
Thank you, with our whole heart, to the people of Sully's... from the owner on down to the staff. You made our day so very special. And while they may not serve brunch anymore... I urge you to go there for lunch or dinner. Support a restaurant that demonstrates loves for its community through its actions, not just words or fancy FB posts.
And get the wings! (My personal fave) You won't regret it.
Cheers to you, Sully's! We'll be diners with you for life.