Extremely Disappointing Experience…read more
My husband and I had dinner at Michael J's on Saturday, September 26th, while spending the weekend in Ruidoso. Unfortunately, what was supposed to be a nice dinner turned into one of the most uncomfortable restaurant experiences we've ever had.
We arrived around 8:00 PM, an hour before closing, and stood at the entrance for about five minutes waiting to be seated, even though the restaurant was practically empty.
I ordered a bottle of Alamos Cabernet listed for $36. Our server, who was also the bartender, came back and told me they were out of it. I then specifically asked for the house Cabernet listed for $28. She brought us a bottle, and we assumed it was what I had ordered. Throughout dinner, her demeanor toward us was noticeably short and unfriendly.
Then, at approximately 8:40 PM--20 minutes before closing--they TURNED THE LIGHTS OFF while we were still eating. I asked if they could please turn them back on, and they did. About two minutes later, they turned them off again. We literally had to use the lights on our phones to see and finish our dinner. I have never experienced anything like that at a restaurant.
When our bill arrived, we discovered we had been charged $46 for a bottle of Silver Palm, which I NEVER ordered. When I questioned our server, she told me they had been out of the house wine. I explained that she should have come back to the table, told me it was unavailable, and allowed me to choose another bottle--especially before substituting one that cost significantly more. Her response was essentially, Too bad, you drank it."
We asked to speak with a manager and were told that everyone had already left.
If a restaurant chooses to seat customers an hour before closing, those customers should be allowed to finish their meal with the lights on and without being made to feel like an inconvenience. And if something a customer orders is unavailable, you do not substitute a more expensive item without telling them, charge them for it, and then dismiss their concern because they already consumed it.
And somehow, we still left a $10 tip. I honestly cannot remember ever leaving less than 20% at a restaurant. Even when service isn't perfect, I believe in tipping well, but this experience was completely different.
I have the receipt from that evening and am posting it with this review.
We came to Ruidoso for a nice weekend together and were looking forward to dinner here. Unfortunately, this experience left us feeling extremely unwelcome and disappointed.
We will not return.
