Ed G.
Yelp
This is by far the worst restaurant experience that I have ever had.
First, we made reservations for 6pm. We were running late and I called the restaueant to let them know. They graciously changed the reservation to 6:30p.
We arrive a little before 6:30 and were immediately seated. So far, so good. Our server arrived to take our orders. My wife ordered a drink, I did not. We were disorganized on our food order and my wife said it would be OK to come back later. Our server came back later and we ordered a cocktail for me and a kid's drink for one of my children.
The drinks never arrived. We were then politely informed the drink runner gave them to another table. Bummer, but no big deal. Our drinks eventually came. At that time we ordered appetizers and entrees. We were asked if we wanted the appetizers first. We said yes. We have now been in the restaurant 45 minutes or so.
To our surprise, the entrees came out quickly. We asked about our appetizers. As we were talking with the server, a food runner shows up with our appetizers. Before we can ask to keep the appetizers and to have the entrees brought back (and hopefully fresh entrees come out later) we were told that the manager would come talk to us.
After waiting a few minutes a younger man comes up behind me, does not introduce himself, and asks if I would like another drink. I did not want another drink, I was waiting to talk with the manager. He says (paraphrase), you seem upset, what's going on? I said, our order is messed up and I am waiting for the manager. Still no introduction.
Another man (older) then comes up on my other side and asks me what is wrong. I ask him who he and the other man are. The younger man says he is the manager. I ask who the older man is. He angrily says he is the owner. I state my name and offer to shake hands with the older man. He says that he does not like my tone. I again introduce myself and ask him to shake hands. He says that he already did. I tell him that he did not. My wife and children are stunned by his lie and tell him he did not. At this point, he is clearly angry and blustering. I stand up and ask to shake hands again. He finally shakes my hand but does not provide a name. I ask for his name and he spits out that he is John.
At this point he asks me to leave. I ask him why. He says it is his restaurant and he can kick anyone out that he wants. Very true. At this point I don't even want to be there, but I am hungry and my family is hungry, and I want out food that we had waited so long for. John says that he will call the police if I do not leave. I say no, not without my food. Without further effort to discuss, John grabs my phone, and walks out of the restaurant and places it on the street. My wife follows him and retrieves the phone.
At this point, I decide to make a scene. I yell loudly repeatedly to give me back my phone. I'm sorry (but not sorry) patrons were upset. However, the theft of my phone is what led to the restaurant hearing about what happened. You know the best way not to have that happen? Don't steal people's property.
How could this have gone differently?
1. The server could have asked how this could be resolved.
2. The manager could have come to the table, introduced himself, and asked how he could help.
3. The owner... well, he's probably hopeless.
Hey, if you have video footage of this, can I have it to prove to the police he stole my phone?
