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So I go to this restaurant on 5th avenue. (I don't want to name it yet, but I can be persuaded.) I've been to Restaurant X once before and enjoyed their food and ambiance. Knowing that it was Valentine's Day kinda intimated me, so my girlfriend and I tried to avoid the dinner rush and showed up a bit later, at 9pm. The wait for a table was 35 minutes. No big deal (V-day) but then they offered to sit us on the back "heated patio" where there was no wait, which we accepted. This was mistake #1. At first the heated patio was fine, but after about 10 minutes, we were freezing. We requested to be moved inside (like every other couple on the patio) but were left out in the cold (literally) for a good 30 minutes. Finally, when they did move us inside, they placed us in the table nearest the back door, which was proped open and emiting a nice, strong winter breeze. That said, we were still pretty cold in our new spot. Our waitress was a total bitch. She was initentive and unhelpful. It was our hostess who found us the inside table and came over to apologize profousley. Our waitress barely said two words to us. After 15 more minutes, we were moved to a third table near the front window. The musical chairs was a disaster. Also, it took a full hour for our food to arrive. I'm not sure if that was due to our snotty waitress, the table hopping, or V-Day (maybe all three?) but i was hungry, cold and cranky. We requested our bill while we were still eating and didn't get it until about 20 minutes later. Heaven forbid they offer to comp our appetizer for all of the inconviences -- but no, nothing. We paid and we left. I will never go back. I wasted a total of 90 minutes of my life at that restaurant, and i am so disappointed.
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Oh come on, you must tell us where this was?
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Kate » Oh come on, you must tell us where this was?
Oh so curious, I wouldn't even want to venture a guess... -
I think the key to discovering this establishment's identity lies in the "heated patio" and "5th Avenue" descriptions. Not being familiar with any myself, I'm still certain someone else can hazard a guess or two.
Windsor Terrace=>Park Slope=>Prospect Heights=>Park Slope. -
meganlibrarian » I think the key to discovering this establishment's identity lies in the "heated patio" and "5th Avenue" descriptions. Not being familiar with any myself, I'm still certain someone else can hazard a guess or two.
well. ummm. it could be anyplace. it could be: Bogota Bistro Brooklyn Fish Camp I know that there are people who do not love their fellow man, and I hate people like that! -- Tom Lehrer (1928 - ) -
I thought Sette but that's on 7th. I'm having a block, just share perhaps some of us have similar stories!
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Please tell us where this was. You'll be doing them a favor if they actually read this board. They obviously need the feedback.
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If you are going to rant about a local restaurant like that-at least tell the rest of us the name of the place so we can avoid it too.
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I didn't post the name of the place at first because bad-mouthing was not my total point for posting. Mostly it was just to vent. I had a bad experience, but I'm hoping it was an isolated incident. But, like I said in my orignial post, I can be (and have been) persuaded. The place was Bogota.
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seriously, now I'm curious! nana? I know they have a patio they allege is heated.like a smoked meat with an earthy youth overnote
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Sorry to hear about your lousy experience. My personal rule is to avoid heated patios, I have found that they rarely live up to their billing. I know it is somewhat fashionable to bash Sette, but we went last night and they had it together. Food, service and entertainment were excellent. Didn't test their patio, however....
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PHeightsGirl » I didn't post the name of the place at first because bad-mouthing was not my total point for posting. Mostly it was just to vent. I had a bad experience, but I'm hoping it was an isolated incident. But, like I said in my orignial post, I can be (and have been) persuaded. The place was Bogota.
ahhhaaaa! i knew it was bogota. what do i win? i was there a couple of weeks ago and chose the heated patio as well. yes it wasn't the most comfortable--but what heated patio is perfectly comfortable in winter?-- and yes the service could have been better, but overall bogota always kicks ass except for their chimichurri sauce. it needs to be thicker. with more garlic and aged like a couple of months if not years...I know that there are people who do not love their fellow man, and I hate people like that! -- Tom Lehrer (1928 - ) -
Speaking of restaurants-can I ask why Sotto Voce is still in business? I have been there 4 times over the years and everything from food to service was bad every time-I never understand why there are people in there.
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Nishi621 » Speaking of restaurants-can I ask why Sotto Voce is still in business? I have been there 4 times over the years and everything from food to service was bad every time-I never understand why there are people in there.
Unknown, but they are always busy it seems. I recall having a couple good meals there when they first opened, but they have been off my list for a long time. -
Subject: VD Dinner
Ok, it doesn't sound like a fun night. The service sounds lousy, but what did you really expect going out on VD with no reservation? Yes, restaurants should respect your business, but VD is probably neck-and-neck with NYE as a night that if you just "pop in" for dinner you should not really have high expectations. -
Subject: vd
I went to Tempo on VD. Although crowded, they did it right, very enjoyable experience. On another note, it shows how well al di la is doing when they do not change their closed on Tuesdays policy even for VD. Good for them. -
Subject: Re: vd
doldrums » I went to Tempo on VD. Although crowded, they did it right, very enjoyable experience. On another note, it shows how well al di la is doing when they do not change their closed on Tuesdays policy even for VD. Good for them.
Wow, really? I guess they're not in it for the money then! I can't imagine how much these places pull in on Holidays
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Subject: Re: vd
doldrums » I went to Tempo on VD. Although crowded, they did it right, very enjoyable experience. On another note, it shows how well al di la is doing when they do not change their closed on Tuesdays policy even for VD. Good for them.
I've been really happy with Tempo every time I've gone. Their pastas are real standouts, especially the buccatini with pistachio "pesto." -
Subject: VD restaurant
I want to know why you stayed outside for 30 minutes if you were really that cold - I would have gotten up and left and gotten a pizza at that point (especially since I know better than to go out on Valentine's Day without a reservation). I bet your girlfriend was *really* impressed with how you handled that.
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sotto voce? what about tutta pasta? or aunt suzies? those places are basically catsup on noodles.
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8thandPrez » sotto voce? what about tutta pasta? or aunt suzies? those places are basically catsup on noodles.
Agreed, but they meet their aspirations. Sotto Voce aims a little higher and comes up short. -
Subject: Valentine Dinner
Seriously - Brooklyn Rocks and Flexi are right. Did you think you were going to have a romantic dinner? -
Subject: Re: vd
doldrums » I went to Tempo on VD. Although crowded, they did it right, very enjoyable experience. On another note, it shows how well al di la is doing when they do not change their closed on Tuesdays policy even for VD. Good for them.
I believe that al di la wisely refrains from doing "special occasion" nights like VD and NYE because of their largely communal table format. Think about how satisfied you would be having to share your table with others on an evening that celebrates romance? I agree that Tempo is one of the best choices in the slope for such an evening. I wish I had thought of it before VD! -
Can I just break in for a moment to say how much I LOVE all these references to "VD"? This is sounding like a message board for sex addicts. "I wish I had thought of Tempo before V.D."
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Subject: VD
Do you have a problem with sex addicts?
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8thandPrez » Can I just break in for a moment to say how much I LOVE all these references to "VD"? This is sounding like a message board for sex addicts. "I wish I had thought of Tempo before V.D."
"they do not change their closed on Tuesdays policy even for VD" hehehe -
Subject: Re: VD restaurant
BrooklynRocks » I want to know why you stayed outside for 30 minutes if you were really that cold - I would have gotten up and left and gotten a pizza at that point (especially since I know better than to go out on Valentine's Day without a reservation). I bet your girlfriend was *really* impressed with how you handled that.
We didn't want to wait outside -- we requested to be moved indoors and waited for 30 minutes for an open table indoors. And we couldn't leave the joint because we were meeting a third person and we had no way of contacting her. We weren't in the mood for pizza either. Geez, harsh much? Do you need to take a nap or something? -
Subject: VD dinner
Lack of planning on VD = waiting at a restaurant. I'm going to nap with BrooklyRocks now -
Oh honestly, give her a break. If the restaurant is able to seat her, it should be able to provide adequate service.
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Subject: Re: VD restaurant
PHeightsGirl » And we couldn't leave the joint because we were meeting a third person and we had no way of contacting her.
Wow, a threesome. Now that's a Valentine's Day. -
Subject: Re: VD restaurant
Eric » [quote="PHeightsGirl"]And we couldn't leave the joint because we were meeting a third person and we had no way of contacting her.
Wow, a threesome. Now that's a Valentine's Day.[/quote] no, now that's a VD! -
PHeightsGirl » The place was Bogota.
i had a screwy experience not that long ago, but have become somewhat friendly with the owners and know that they were aware of how shitty the service was that night and genuinely felt bad about it. hey, entrees aren't great, and service will never be the best, but you can have a hell of a time there with a bunch of apps, sides, and great drinks. Sette has 100% worked their kinks out and is now my preferred Italian place in the Slope. -
Subject: Re: VD restaurant
amyskittysitting » [quote="Eric"][quote="PHeightsGirl"]And we couldn't leave the joint because we were meeting a third person and we had no way of contacting her.
Wow, a threesome. Now that's a Valentine's Day.[/quote] no, now that's a VD![/quote] Hate to disappoint everyone, but we were just three Girl Friends trying to have dinner at 9pm on Valentine's Day. I didn't have a problem with waiting -- but I DID have a problem with waiting outside on a "heated patio" that should NOT have been offered (or even open, for that matter) in the dead of winter. It was like rude & false marketing: "We'll tell them there's no wait on our 'heated patio' (wink), so they'll sit down and order drinks and won't be able to leave! Even if they have frost bite!" To top it all off, our waitress was a total bitch, whereas our hostess was *great*, which is kinda backwards, isn't it? I mean, the tip goes to the waitress, right? And sorry to report, no VD. But the food was crap. -
Subject: Re: VD restaurant
PHeightsGirl » [quote="amyskittysitting"][quote="Eric"][quote="PHeightsGirl"]And we couldn't leave the joint because we were meeting a third person and we had no way of contacting her.
Wow, a threesome. Now that's a Valentine's Day.[/quote] no, now that's a VD![/quote] Hate to disappoint everyone, but we were just three Girl Friends trying to have dinner at 9pm on Valentine's Day. I didn't have a problem with waiting -- but I DID have a problem with waiting outside on a "heated patio" that should NOT have been offered (or even open, for that matter) in the dead of winter. It was like rude & false marketing: "We'll tell them there's no wait on our 'heated patio' (wink), so they'll sit down and order drinks and won't be able to leave! Even if they have frost bite!" To top it all off, our waitress was a total bitch, whereas our hostess was *great*, which is kinda backwards, isn't it? I mean, the tip goes to the waitress, right? And sorry to report, no VD. But the food was crap.[/quote] As an ex waitress there is a prerequisite for bitch when applying at any restaurant. I guess it's living off the tips thing where as Hostesses get paid by the hour. If she were smart, she would have played up the charade in her favor made the whole runaround worth it for all parties included. But then, I imagine anyone that has to work Valentine's night isn't happy....But it shouldn't have been taken out on a customer
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Subject: Re: VD restaurant
I had my first experience at Bogota a couple weeks ago for my birthday, and it couldn't have been better. The food and the service were excellent. Our waiter was really nice, and the staff came over to sing to me (with tambourines!) too. That's terrible about the patio and the bitchy waitress, but anyone who hasn't tried Bogota for yourself -- give it a chance. Just try to go when it's not super busy I guess. -
I would have to concur about Bogota, I've been twice and each time had a tasty meal without any service incidents.----------------------
http://www.kwotebel.com -
Subject: lovely time last night
ate there last night - got seated immediately, excellent service, and good food. really had a lovely time. i guess any restuarant could have a bad day, but our experience was just fine.
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