We were extremely disappointed with visit to Waypoint 622 Restaurant & Patio Bar in Brielle, NJ which we purchased Food & Drinks due to interaction of restaurant bar staff and rude management.
On July 7th at approximately 5:00PM until 5:45PM my family decided to go back to visit this restaurant. My father has been there for dinner before since a local to the area. We decided on some food items to share some Clams, Sushi. - the raw clams were $10 for 1/2 dozen or $20 a dozen.
This is some background for credibility purposes - I'm an International Food Consultant and specialize in seafood. A past USFDA Seafood Monitor for the state of New Jersey - been part of the FDA Shellfish regulatory programs. My family has had restaurants, eaten seafood, especially raw clams for about 70 plus years. We have also gone fishing for mussels and clams harvesting. We know what good seafood is.
I asked the female bartender about the size of the raw clams that were on the menu, not to make the write up too long, I explained that we are looking only for TOP necks. The bar tender looked puzzled, so my dad and I also explained these are the middle size clams. She said she will check with the kitchen and asked the female bartender next to her - she shrugged her shoulders. The bartender came back and shows with her hands the size of the clams. It was hard to tell with her fingers - looking back she probably didn't know. I said again - please make sure the clams are midsize not small clams - usually called top necks. We do not like the small clams and would prefer the larger ones or we can order something else - there are small, mid-size and then cherry stone clams in that order of sizes.
Trust in what I will say that these raw clams at this restaurant were tiny and subpar - and mixed in with a little larger clams - mixed in a way that looked very deceiving so we would not say anything or complain. We also got 11 clams instead of 12 clams - one dish came out with just 5 raw clams.
This is the most disappointment part of this restaurant is when I decided to send half the Raw Clams back since the wrong count and small (I wanted to be fair since in the industry) the female bartender PM Patio Bar P said, "it's not my fault it's our kitchen". About 10 minutes later the Manager brought the Raw Clams back to us and said, "you ordered these clams and will have to pay for them since you touch the clams you cannot return them". I told him that is the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard off. Explained to him we asked for the Mid Size Clams and this was explained a number of times to the waitress bartender. He argued with me and I said would pay for only half of my order and that these are small I know since been in the industry for years. This Waypoint Manager refused the return of 5 clams - to be clear this was a $10 return for only the Clams. He said he will make us pay for all 12 Clams.
I've never have experienced anything like this in my 25 years of traveling around the world and been to hundreds and hundreds of restaurants. A bite out of a hamburger, can be sent back and taken off a check. This manager was rude, argumentative, and extremely unprofessional, and if I can say it here "A Real Jackass". He also threatens to call the police when we refused to pay the $10.
The next day, On July 8th, I took my girlfriend to a different restaurant to make-up for the Manager argument. The female waitress was very kind and said yes, I know. I will come back to show you. She came back with two clams (live clams), and we then ordered two dozen, cold on ice, an excellent size, delicious, and a bonus since $15 a dozen.
I would not recommend going to this restaurant due to poor food, staff skills and poor management, the scenery is just not worth it. I am not "out to get" anyone. I just want to be fairly represented so that others may benefit from my experience. read more