Recently, after several recommendations from my friends, I called the Orange Grill to make a birthday reservation for a party of 20 for Saturday, March 10. Michael, the manager told me that the restaurant is booked and offered to come celebrate my birthday on Sunday, March 11. I had reservations about it since all my guests and I would have to work the day after. However, Michael, the manager, has convinced me by saying we can start our party as early as 3 pm while having all the perks we would have if we were celebrating on a Saturday (banquet discounts, outstanding menu, etc) and that their live band will start entertainment that early too.
My guests and I arrived at 4 pm. The band did not arrive until 6:30. By that time, despite me asking the servers and Michael to slow down on bringing all our food, the food was quickly served and the last dish was served at 6 pm. I spoke with Michael explaining that it was way too fast and the portions were way too small. The guests were still hungry and we did not even start dancing yet. Michael's solution was to pay for additional food. I have gone to many different venues and after paying a banquet prices, I never had the need to order more food, nor guests were still hungry.
While I was still trying to sort out the shortage of food, the music started. After a few songs, the musicians stopped signing and turned their computer on. Nobody was dancing. Isn't the indication that your music is not engaging for the public in attendance? We really would not stress over the computer but the choice of music undeniably needed change. So we asked to change it to songs that are popular these days. The answer was - you have to pay per song you want. Really? It was still before 8 pm and a song lasts 3-4 minutes. How much money should we have spent to have a good time at a full service restaurant??
Michael treated us as "picky customers." I promise you, we are not. My guests were all my friends. Together, we go to different places, small and large, with and without music and we NEVER had any shortage of food or complained about music. Great food, a lot of food, awesome music (meaning music that makes you want to dance and have a great time) are the basic expectations of any Russian restaurant.. and so far, all of them delivered!
After the party, I felt bad and took my friends to another place to eat.
A tactful, caring and wise manager would make sure he satisfies a party of 20 by offering options so the word of mouth brings more business. My friends came from all 5 boroughs of NY and all are successful people that dine out often. Michael offered no solution but to pay more, for food and music. I am sure he would handle the situation very differently if he owned the place and it was the success of his business that was at stake.
Beware booking your parties at the Orange Grill, at least on Sundays. You may be shortchanged just like we were.... and bring extra money to go another place to eat afterwards.
I am exploring the option of reaching out to BBB or other companies that perform independent under cover checks. Two girls got sick after eating their fish. It is possible that on Sundays they serve left overs from Saturdays? Who knows. It is too bad that along with money spent, there was a birthday moment that was ruined. You can't have that back.
P.S. Special thank you for the service provided by Aleksey and Bek. Excellent job on their part despite all. read more