I'm not going to describe the food offerings, how absolutely terrific the wings are, or how this place is a consummate Buffalo institution. We've all been there. ME, I've been a patron for 25 years.
My advocacy of The Gate ended on Friday evening when I joined my husband and 3 of his co-workers on the patio. I'll put that into perspective: The youngest in our group of white collar banking professionals is 42 years old.
The fun banter was fun, but after 15 minutes of fun banter we all were itching for a cocktail. Both the restaurant and the bar were not all that busy yet - it was only 5:00, so what could have really taken that long for our server to finally show up? When she did we all happily greeted her, and with a blank reciprocal acknowledgement, she proceeded to take our drink order. 1 blue Moon, 2 Tangueray & Tonics, and 1 Stoli & SODA - all with lime.
"What?" she asked to none of us in particular..."what what" we all sort of said in unison...Perplexed and irritated, she wanted TO KNOW WHAT TONIC WAS. She wanted TO KNOW WHAT TANGUERAY WAS. Ok, she was young, but come on - if you fancy yourself a waiter, know your menu and spirits. So we, being the adults tell her what it is, and repeat the arduous order. *Mind you, we were not being patronizing* but it was really an exercise in stupidity. Our drinks arrive, and we suck them down, order wings to share. She refills our drinks, this time with fleeting brilliance as she now knows what tonic is...in fact, I got tonic in both of my drinks....was suppose to be SODA. Whatevs. I didn't want to tax her any further...I mean her scintillating personality from minute one bowled me over with compassion.
Well, we eat the wings - they were outstanding. Order apps and scarf those down. One of us asked for another of something, or a refill, or more napkins...the usual benign, yet sometimes tedious request that serves might WANT to roll their eyes at. OUR server DID. She not only rolled her eyes, she became mouthy and incensed and declared: "I DON'T HAVE TO DO THAT, I DON'T EVEN HAVE TO SERVE YOUR TABLE ANYMORE" and casually walked away...she may have flipped her hair when she spun around, but that might just be a vision in my head because the experience was just that cliché.
Appalled is an understatement. My husband got up to find the manager. Her petulant behavior was unacceptable. He located a guy, and asked if he was the manager... "There is no manager" is what the 20 something manchild told him as the waitress mocked and made faces at Jim while standing behind this guy - both standing behind the bar. Now, my husband is not a small man. He's 6'4" of Air Force strength, and yet, as if tempting to bait him, the manchild looks at Jim and says: "ARE YOU TRYING TO THREATIN TO KILL ME?" Jim simply reply's "no, I just want to speak to somebody about how rudely our party has been treated...Jim comes back to the patio and sits down.
So folks, how ridiculous is this story so far? It gets better!
Next up, entering stage left comes another waitress. Another seasoned professional to boot. Not. She claims to be the manager and sticks her finger right into Jim's face and says: "I just heard that you threatened to kill (insert name here) you need to leave!"
At this point the folly was almost overwhelming. We left laughing, but were all disgusted. I still am.
Who is the owner? I'll find out. I know lots and lots of people. I know, it's Buffalo, and we all do...but I really do. I'll place that phone call...not to scream at him, but to inform him that we were treated poorly at best, and that having a responsible manager on staff is imperative.
The "ME" generation that was running the show that evening was doing so without any guidelines, or rules, and quickly, if not immediately they turned into disrespectful, insolent little brats who actually do believe that it is acceptable to treat THEIR PAYING GUESTS like SH!T. read more