Blue Ribbon = A+

"^I want to go there more because I am guaranteed not to run into him there."

Interesting comment.

Have a nice day Flexi.

Flaco wrote,

"There is something missing from all this. What you describe having at sidecar should total to less than 78 and what you describe having at Blue Ribbon should be more than 88."

Well, you are just wrong. I told you what we ate and what the bills were, I can't do much more than that. All you have to do is go online and check out the menus, but I guess it makes you feel better to imply I am lying.

"I would say it's a weird juxtaposition of Sidecar having a bad night, and Blue Ribbon a good one (waiter comping stuff, etc)."

Perhaps, but from what I can tell, Blue Ribbon doesn't have bad nights.

"The rib entree doesn't exist."

Yeah, I said that. The waiter told me that they simply charge people for two rib appetizers and throw in mashed potatoes and either spinach or collard greens.

"Blue Ribbon is way more expensive."

Not if you order carefully. If you get burgers and beers, the quality and service make up for the relatively small difference in cost. My ribs and my wife's $23 three course meal were yummy and fairly priced. And, I left stuffed.

"And the fried chicken at Sidecar is among the best in Park Slope."

I have heard this, and I have also heard it is overrated, but I worked in restaurants for many years before becoming a teacher, and if the service sucks, I won't go back. What kind of establishment has their waiters and staff doing shots on the floor yet can't even put in an order when there are only three tables?

Flexi wrote,

"50% difference is NOT 'relatively small' difference in cost."

The difference in cost was about 10% or so. This is relatively small.

As far as complaining to management, why bother? Our order was lost, we saw a group of 6-7 people trying to figure out how the slip got lost, everyone was talking about our order for a least a minute or two. And then my crab cakes still manage to come out cold. Management knew about the situation and couldn't even make sure the order came out right.

This was one of those times where a manager just comes over and apologizes. The waitress didn't even apologize. I worked at a Sidecar type of bar for many years and when we royally messed up, which was rare, the manager just came out and said "sorry." The bill came with a free pudding, but it just didn't take the bad taste out of our experience.

I am almost 40 - this would have been only the second time in my life I didn't leave a tip, but my wife left $5 just because she can't see not doing so. We tip 20%, as a rule, and if the service stinks, we tip 15%. But this service deserved no tip.

Flaco,

More my style? I have been to Mack's and 12th street so many times I can't count. Bar food is my favorite. We went to Blue Ribbon for a treat and when the bill came, my wife and I were shocked how close it was to the Sidecar bill. Now, if I wasn't stuffed, I would have probably wanted the sundae, but for $11.50 would have passed.

If two waitresses are acting in a way that makes you and your wife uncomfortable, then it is wrong. Were they stoned? Were they laughing because it is silly to train a person to pour beer at a table? Were they drunk from those shots the staff were doing? You should be comfortable at a restaurant and not subjected to such crap.

The booth was great, the lighting was great, it didn't have that "bar" smell (that smell of bar mats), it was clean, but the service and food were just awful. The French onion soup was just so bland. I mean, French onion soup is like eggs, how do you mess it up? It shouldn't be bland and boring. French onion soup should grab you by the throat and say, "Eat me, I am yummy in your tummy."

Again, I think the Sidecar folks must have played with Gobots growing up.

belzjm,

What I find odd is that people suggest that my experience is "fishy" or suggest that they are glad they won't run in to me in public.

I run some online forums and I know that most members are lurkers. So, my gut is that this thread has been helpful to some, maybe many, and the others just don't read it.