Can I vent for a second about my horrible dinner last night?
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.
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.
Comments
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Oh come on, you must tell us where this was?
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Kate wrote: 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.
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meganlibrarian wrote: 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 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. -
seriously, now I'm curious! nana? I know they have a patio they allege is heated.
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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.... -
PHeightsGirl wrote: 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.
ahhhaaaa! i knew it was bogota. what do i win?
But, like I said in my orignial post, I can be (and have been) persuaded.
The place was Bogota.
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...
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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. -
Nishi621 wrote: Speaking of restaurants-can I ask why Sotto Voce is still in business?
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.
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. -
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 wrote: 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 :shock: -
Subject: Re: vd
doldrums wrote: 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. :roll: -
sotto voce? what about tutta pasta? or aunt suzies? those places are basically catsup on noodles.
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8thandPrez wrote: 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 wrote: 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." -
Subject: VD
Do you have a problem with sex addicts?
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8thandPrez wrote: 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.
"they do not change their closed on Tuesdays policy even for VD"
"I wish I had thought of Tempo before V.D."
hehehe -
Subject: Re: VD restaurant
BrooklynRocks wrote: 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. :roll:
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
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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 wrote: 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 wrote: [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.
no, now that's a VD!
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