I rarely leave negative reviews, especially for places I frequent and enjoy, but this experience warrants one.
I came to Minetta's Tavern on December 12th with a group of friends after our company holiday party. We were dressed appropriately, respectful, and simply looking to enjoy our night. Unfortunately, the service we received from our server, Matthew P., was truly unacceptable.
To be clear, we have had consistently incredible experiences at the bar with Damian, which is why this was so disappointing. Damian is always warm, attentive, and professional, and he is the reason we continue to come back to Minetta's. This experience, however, was the complete opposite.
From the start, Matthew was unfriendly and disengaged. There was no greeting, no welcome, and it felt as though he did not want to take our order at all. It took 18 minutes for him to take our drink order and another 15 to 20 minutes for the drinks to arrive, despite the restaurant not being busy and there being many open tables.
When we politely followed up, his responses were dismissive at best. There was no apology, no explanation, just "I'll be back." We were never asked if we wanted to order food. We had to initiate that conversation ourselves. Even at the end, when the bill came, there was no basic hospitality or clarity, just a blunt question about who was paying, despite us not requesting a split check.
The most troubling part of this experience was how we were made to feel. As a group of Black women who were doing nothing out of the ordinary, it felt as though we were being looked down on and treated differently. That perception may be uncomfortable to hear, but it was very real in the moment and deeply disappointing.
We were coming off a high from our holiday celebration, and this experience completely derailed the night. Based on this interaction alone, I would not return.
I strongly recommend additional training and a serious check in with Matthew P. This level of service is unacceptable and does not reflect the standard we have consistently experienced at Minetta's, particularly with Damian at the bar.
We live in the neighborhood and frequent the Union Market and NoMa area often. It is unfortunate to have had such a negative experience in a city known for its diversity and hospitality. I hope management takes this feedback seriously. read more