I stopped in here for a meal as this place had been on my radar for a while and was looking forward to trying it out. I arrived around 2:00pm, and the place was mostly empty. I didn't think much of it, as it is past lunch but before dinner, so I was expecting it to be a slow period.
When I walked in, the hostess was looking at me, but did not say anything, which I found odd. I asked for a table for one, and as is usually the case, was asked if I wanted to sit at the bar. I did not, so was lead to a table. She took away one of the plates/silverware settings, left the menu, and walked off without a word. No "you're server will be over soon," no "enjoy," nothing.
I sat there for quite some time before the waitress came over. As previously stated, it was mostly empty. There was a couple at the table next to me, a woman at the bar, and me. After having read the menu multiple times and completing a crossword puzzle on my phone, my waitress came over and asked if I wanted a drink. I ordered a soda and before I could order, she left to get the soda. I was ready to order, and had been for ten minutes, but was not asked.
The waitress returned with my soda and I ordered my pizza. I sat and waited, thinking how uncomfortable the seat was. It was also kind of dreary atmosphere. From the outside, this place looks like it should have a kind of upbeat, fun vibe, but inside it is dark and somewhat depressing.
My food came quickly, but in a way that took me by surprise, as I had never once experienced this in my life. The waitress brought out my pizza, but I didn't realize it as first, because she did not acknowledge me at all. She was talking to the couple at the table next to mine, and put my food on the table without even looking in my direction. She never said anything to me. Just put my food down while talking to other people then left.
At this point, I felt like I was a massive inconvenience to this establishment. I have never felt so unwelcome in a restaurant before. I always worry about dining alone, as I feel guilty taking up a table for myself. However, the place was empty, so I felt fine about it today. However, everybody's demeanor just made me feel like my presence there was the last thing they wanted.
I took the cloth napkin and silverware off of the plate on my table to serve myself some pizza, which is when I noticed my plate was dirty. There was dried tomato sauce on one part of it, like when a dishwasher doesn't get everything off that was caked on a plate. I thought about asking for another plate, but I already had been so ignored and shunned since stepping foot inside that I didn't even want to be bothered. Instead I just dealt with it and ate my food.
It's a shame the service was so atrocious because the food itself was pretty good. Nothing amazing, but good enough I would have gone again if I didn't feel like a massive inconvenience to the staff.
Needless to say, I will not be returning to this establishment. I tend to be a very easy customer to please. I have worked in the service industry myself, and all of my sisters had spent years as servers, so I know all about difficult customers. I try very hard to be pleasant, I don't ask for anything but rhe very basic service, and tip well. I almost always have great interactions with wait staff, and have never once felt like I wasn't wanted in a restaurant until this experience.
I thought the place was empty because it was an odd time to eat on a holiday weekend, but now I wonder if it's because other people received this same service. Either way, I certainly won't be returning. read more