T C.
Yelp
Just some background before I proceed to the issue at hand: I have been a frequent customer at Dantanna's for two years. I often dine there about twice a week and I have entertained friends and business associates there during that period. We usually sit at the bar and the bartenders there are great (mainly Eric and Shawn). I have always found most employees to be professional and courteous. However, this all changed recently when my friend and I went into the cigar shop to await the arrival of a friend for dinner in the main restaurant. Note: I have previously enjoyed a cigar on and off for years, but I recently stopped smoking them. Although I never sat and smoked a cigar in the cigar bar at Dantanna's, I have purchased cigars from the shop over the last two years from the man with the long hair (I believe he is the owner). On the day in question, my friend decided he would have a cigar in the cigar bar while we waited for our friend to arrive. We walked in and proceeded to the back of the shop where we sat on a sofa chair. As my friend began to light his cigar, a man came to the middle of the floor and yelled out to him, "take your hat off, you are inside now". I was sitting facing my friend and the person was standing some distance behind me. I immediately turned around and saw this man in a three piece suit standing there. I looked at my friend and said, " I know that man wasn't talking to you in that rude, disrespectful manner." I then looked at the man and asked him about his rude, disrespectful manner in speaking to my friend. He said, "well, he is inside and should know to take his hat off. The original comment and the response of this man were both arrogant, rude, disrespectful and inappropriate. I then gave him a piece of my mind, as I basically told him he was a rude person and a sucker for talking to a grown man in that manner. Additionally, I told him if he had something to say to my friend regarding a dress code, he should have approached him in a courteous and respectful manner and informed him in a personal manner. He then walked away mumbling some nonsense about "well, I told him nicely." During some point, the long haired man came over and said he needed proof that the cigar was bought in his shop and requested a $10.00 cover charge from me if I wouldn't be smoking one of his cigars. Again, all this was done in the presence of other customers and it was highly embarrassing to say the least. However, the fact is that my friend had purchased a number of cigars in that shop a week earlier or so, but was still forced to show the label. Additionally, my friend had ordered his regular drink and was awaiting it before this incident. I told the server I would be ordering a drink, but needed a glass of water to start off with. However, after the incident, my friend and I looked at each other and came to the same conclusion to leave. While walking out, I again voiced my displeasure to the man in the three piece suit (now standing there and just staring us down). Upon leaving, I attempted to find a manager of the restaurant to lodge a formal complaint regarding the conduct of both men. I was able to speak to someone at the bar area who identified himself as a manager. After informing him of the incident, he informed me that the space was rented out and independently operated by the man with the long hair. Another manager (nice lady) said she would let the owner know about the incident and she stated she was sorry about it. The long haired man was in the bar area at this time talking to another official of the restaurant. I assumed he was talking about the incident. He then exchanged words with me, telling me my friend was told about the hat before. This was an outright lie, as there was no dress policy posted and my friend informed me that he was never told previously. The long haired man then said to me, "this is over, right?", as if he clearly knew the actions of both he and the other man were inappropriate. I said "no" and told him we were disrespected and embarrassed and would never come in that shop again. In conclusion, I don't believe this incident was addressed appropriately by management at Dantannas. I don't believe it was taken seriously. Later that night, I was informed by a person who is a regular in the cigar bar that the man in the three piece suit is the enforcer of the cigar bar and his job is to keep "certain people" out. I think we all now what that means, and based on the conduct of the man, the owner and response of management, I find credibility in his statement. Yes, that is truly disturbing. Subsequently, I returned to Dantannas about a week later. I have a business associate from out of town who insists on going there. But, I continue to be suspicious of the practices there. I still find the main restaurant staff to be professional and courteous, but I will never step foot in the cigar bar. Please be aware.
