Latoya A.
Yelp
I am a disabled black female Air Force veteran and was a first responder at the Pentagon during 9/11. I have resided in Scottsdale/Paradise Valley area for 3 years now and I have visited the Sanctuary Spa on many occasions and have dined at the Elements restaurant as well. I find both the restaurant and the spa to be quite calming and serene and have always felt welcomed as a single black female.
I saw the Jade Bar on IG a few weeks ago and decided since I had a light day that I would go for a visit. I am a foodie at heart and love dining out. I entered the bar around 2:30 pm on 9/28/23, upon entering, I immediately went to the bar and asked a female bartender if the small tables near the window were open and she said yes and that she would send someone right over to take my order. The place was quite empty with exception of a small party of patrons, all male eating and chatting as I walked over to my table which was directly behind them. There was another woman dining near the front door entrance. I saw a waiter working with the table of gentlemen that sat at the table behind me but never came over to me. 15 minutes went by, and no one came over to ask if I even wanted water. I began to wonder what the delay was since the place was fairly empty. Shortly after that thought, a Caucasian woman came in and sat at a table beside mine, before she could barely get her legs under her table, a waiter approached and gave her water and asked for her drink order. He then turned and started to walk toward the bar, I immediately called him over and asked if I could place an order, he immediately stated that he didn't see me sitting there. To put this in perspective, coming from the kitchen, he most likely saw me before he saw the lady that sat at the table beside me. I am a black female (the only one in the bar) short pixie cut AND I had on a mustard-colored outfit that consisted of leggings, top and long duster. He said he was sorry and proceeded to ask for my order. I was taken aback because I was literally sitting at the table beside the lady whose order he had just took. I asked him how was it possible that I had been in there for 15 mins and had to call him over so I could a drink? He then stated that it had been a busy day, and he was in the kitchen telling his boss that he THINKS he has cancer. I told him I was sorry to hear that but somehow, he had managed to take the order of the woman beside and she hadn't been there for 5 minutes. He offered to take care of my drink overlooking the optics of it all. I asked him did he know how it feels to feel discriminated against due to the color of your skin without provoking any action at all other than coming into an establishment and he proceeded to tell me about how he grew up in Louisiana, I didn't even listen to the story. I later spoke with Paul Carter, Director of Food & Beverage and expressed my concerns. I am never one to pull the race card however, this felt like deliberate racism to me at its finest. It was a very uncomfortable dining experience for the remaining time I was there and very disheartening that this type of behavior still goes on. The lady that sat at the table beside me came over and apologized because she witnessed the conversation and noticed she was served as soon as she arrived. She said she noticed me as soon as she came in because she admired my outfit but yet the waiter said he didn't notice me sitting there waiting for service. I don't expect everyone to understand this review, however, I hope it reaches the audience that needs to hear it. Regardless of race, we should all be treated fairly and feel welcomed wherever we choose to dine.