James G.
Yelp
I've lived in Hartford for 5-years and have repeatedly tried to give Black Eyed Sally's an opportunity to afford a regular spot in my rotation. GREAT FOOD (the only spot in the area that features authentic, high-quality soul-food, particularly the Shrimp and Grits, Gumbo, and blackened catfish Po'boy) and GREAT MUSIC from jazz bands (the venue is ideal for it, with a dedicated stage area, plentiful seating, and sound design that truly allows one to savor the music from any part of the restaurant). Overall, the ambience is refined. You can tell there's a lot of passion that went into the conception of the place, which feels elegant yet homely. In it's design, they managed to capture a balance between a uniquely-Hartford identity and a touching reverence for New Orleans Cajun culture.
On the other hand, the service at the bar is GOD AWFUL. I cannot stress that enough. BAFFLINGLY BAD. I've seen some questionable service in Hartford bars, don't get me wrong. At Black Eyes Sally's, though, it's different. In only one other Hartford establishment have I witnessed staff member disdain over their own customers. That place closed down by the way, because it turns out customers don't want to visit a place with good food and music if they feel abused while they're there.
In past experiences at Black Eyed Sally's, I've had to ask for cutlery after an ordered dish comes in from the kitchen. Okay, not a huge problem. A weird problem, but not serious. On those occasions, I've also had to ask for corn-bread even though it's on the menu as a free side for certain entree's. The staff member returns from the kitchen with arm fulls of cornbread that she proceeds to angrily throw to everybody at the bar - some of whom didn't even order any! A bit dramatic of a display. Jeez, sorry for asking for the food I'm paying for! Maybe take it off the menu if it's that inconvenient?
Last night I sit down at approximately 5:00. The restaurant has a healthy dinner crowd. The bar was seating about 8 customers at the time. 2 younger gentlemen across the bar have their drinks. A mid-western mother with her two daughters are beside me to my right, they have their dinner and drinks and are watching the Nebraska-Rutgers game. A middle-aged gentleman is seated to my left, he has his drink and is waiting for his family. I wait patiently for the bartender, Vanessa, to complete her other drink orders. She does so and starts on some other bar area chores. I learn that some kind of dance-related event is happening in the park. Understandably, she is completing prep work and prioritizing restaurant-seating drink orders. 10 minutes go by until she asks me, with a scowl "You're good right?"
No actually I'm not good. I'd like to order a drink if that's okay?!
I make my order. A Back East IPA, offered on draft at the moment, and poured directly in front of me on the counter in a round, goblet-style glass.
When she reaches over the counter to give me my drink, she utters, bluntly "Tenders?"
Uh what? I turn to the mother, who's already eating with her daughters, then I turn to the gentleman who shrugs emphatically.
Maybe I'll get food soon, I'll take a menu for now.
She doesn't answer, just claps the menu down in front of me before storming off.
It's apparent she thinks I'm someone else, evidently somebody she does not get along with. I ask the customers beside me if I had stolen someone's seat. They assure me I did not. The gentleman asks if I'm a regular or something. I wouldn't call it that, once every year is hardly regular. Even so, I've never ordered the damn tenders before!
When she returns from the kitchen, the two gentlemen across the bar ask her to change the TV channel to another football game. Oddly, Vanessa then goes to the television that they can't even see, the one the mid-western mother and daughters are watching intensely, and flips through the channels! The mother protests "Wait, no." which causes Vanessa to stop, but she leaves it on the channel selection screen, before moving to the other, correct television as originally requested.
More event-goers come into the restaurant. The gentleman's family arrives, that's three additional customers. A younger woman sits at the forward area of the bar. Fifteen minutes pass and none of them have been seen. The young woman stares angrily in front. The three new customers next to me are confused, prompting the gentleman to ask loudly for service, which gets Vanessa's attention. I use the opportunity to finally order my second beer. Another lady has come in, but gives up on ordering after another 10 minutes of waiting.
The gentleman eventually complained to the manager. Only after this, do I receive an apology, confirming that I reminded her of one of her regulars.
Yeah... sure.
But even after that my check was wrong. Not the right beer, nor quantity.
I still have the class to tip well (8 dollars on a 17 dollar bill) but I also have the self-respect to not return anytime soon.
