Latashey P.
Yelp
1 Star -- Birthday Dinner From Hell at Hideout 125
Let me preface this by saying: I used to actually like Hideout 125. I've been several times, enjoyed myself, recommended it even. The staff has always been wonderful, warm, attentive, everything you'd actually hope for in a restaurant trying to be "upscale."
But then... I had the absolute misfortune of experiencing the restaurant while the owner was present, and I can confidently say the entire vibe of the new location sinks the moment he opens his mouth.
My partner planned a birthday dinner for me. Sweet, right? Our reservation was at 7:00pm. My guests arrived on time, but the table wasn't even ready until after 7:20pm. My guests, who arrived punctually, were barely seated before the owner swooped in to treat them like an inconvenience he personally regretted allowing through the door. He demanded to know when we'd arrive, announced that he was "losing revenue" because of us being "35 minutes late" (Nice math considering the table wasn't ready until 24 minutes into our reservation) and even tried to take the table back for a bigger party. Because nothing says "Happy Birthday" like being told you're financially disappointing a man you've never met.
We did originally have a reservation for
12, however, only 8 of us showed up.
But the real highlight?
Walking into the restaurant only to be greeted by other customers saying, "Ooooo, they've been waiting on you."
How would those strangers know?
Because the owner, in all his professional glory, had apparently been talking about us loudly enough for the entire dining room to turn and stare as we walked in. If you've never been the main character in someone else's gossip at a restaurant... let me tell you, it's not the ambiance we were hoping for.
When my guests told me about his behavior, I went to speak with him directly (which is when he decided to lie to my face about the comments he'd made). According to him, he never mentioned revenue. Odd, because every one of my guests told me the exact same story. But please, do go on. He proceeded to question me about my party size and my tardiness. To which I apologized but also mentioned the seating delay.
I told him he owed my guests an apology. He offered me the most robotic, dead-eyed, "I'm only doing this so you'll stop talking to me" apology I've ever witnessed. He apologized to me -- not the people he disrespected -- and followed it up with the charming line:
"I'm sorry. Is there anything else you want?"
Yes. Respect. Professionalism. Human decency. But I could tell those weren't on the menu.
At that point, I didn't trust him not to spit in our food, so we left. No meal, no celebration, no reason to ever return.
My entire party and I made the only reasonable decision: we left. We will not be eating there again. And honestly, if polite service, integrity, or basic human decency matter to you, you might consider doing the same.
To the waitstaff -- you're wonderful.
To the owner -- you might want to try treating guests with the same respect your staff already shows. It's remarkable how far that can go in hospitality.
Edited to respond to Owner:
Yes, I was late to a SURPRISE DINNER--shocking, I know. However, my party wasn't late, and they were the ones made to wait. If they weren't seated until 7:40, that's an issue with you and your establishment, not with me. Being "a bit busy" doesn't erase the fact that this reservation was made a month in advance.
And let's not pretend this is the first time a reservation has magically meant nothing at your place. I've always been patient and understanding, but you conveniently left out how rude you were when my guests--who were ON TIME--asked about the table. Instead of accommodating them, you treated them poorly while bending over backwards for the guests you apparently favor.
Then, to top it off, you dismissed them and me entirely. So no, it's not surprising that you're being combative now--you already showed your true colors in person.
And as for Brittani "knowing" you? Absolutely not. She knows the Arby's manager she used to work under -- not the pompous owner of Hideout who disrespects his customers and then argues with them instead of displaying that "integrity" he loves to brag about.
If you'd like I can include my guests TIMESTAMPED ARRIVALS!
And you lied again! You DID NOT apologize to my guests!
In your words "Anything else I can help you with?"