We have eaten here several times in the past for brunch and have had good food and service, which is why we have returned, naturally. But after this visit, we will most likely not be back.
We were the first customers of the day for Sunday brunch, and were seated immediately as a result. Over the next 45 minutes, several other tables around us were seated and served their food, while we were still waiting for ours. It was not until we asked twice about the delay, and another two times for drink refills and to speak to a manager, that our food was finally delivered.
The manager came over after the second request and proceeded to make several very poor excuses for the delay, and only grudgingly accepted that the server did not do his job correctly after one member of our party (who has worked in food service and knows how this goes) called them out on this. The manager then proceeded to say she would comp our drinks (which were a grand total of $6) and donuts ($7), and seemed very proud of herself that she had knocked $13 off of a $60 bill, while never holding the server (who we only saw once after this) accountable. When our friend informed the manager that her offer was not industry standard, she decided to also comp the mimosa that our friend had ordered. Um, okay.
Then, the manager proceeded to bring out the chef, whom she had previously said was not at fault, so, I have no idea why she did this - though it did give me the opportunity to tell the chef that the food was good, which was the only good thing about this experience. I believe she still felt bad, so, she brought us all mimosas on the house, without being asked. Well, I'm sure she was well meaning, but what if one of us was a recovering alcoholic? What if we couldn't drink because of religious reasons? What if we were allergic to orange juice? She placed them on the table and they basically went untouched. So, the money she seemed proud to be saving was wasted when she gave us three drinks we didn't want. I'm sure that's not what the owner had in mind when opening this restaurant.
And if that wasn't enough, at the very end, the server finally resurfaces - without any apology - and brings us one bill when we had asked for separate checks. Fail.
I have moderately high standards when we go out to eat (especially in a place like the DC-Metro area) because if I pay for a service, I want it done competently. People expect that of me in my line of work, and I wouldn't have it any other way. But when my easy going husband - who tips, no matter how poor the service - complains and doesn't tip, you know it's bad.
So, if they change management, then I will reconsider my initial stance about not returning. But this manager must be new, and even if she isn't, she and that server need to be re-trained or reassigned... read more