Rod S.
Yelp
TRY ST. CHAPPELLE INSTEAD.
I called Koenig in advance to set reservations and told them it was a special occasion for my wife's birthday. I asked if they could set aside a table for two - one they use to celebrate such events.
"We don't really do that here," the woman said on the other end. "But yeah, we can get you a table."
I told her I'd pay extra if they could set it up for a birthday - just do something to make it memorable. Something festive outdoors.
"No, we don't do that here, like I said. But we'll get you a table on the patio."
Underwhelmed but satisfied, I agreed and set reservations. The day of, my wife and I were running late and I called to see if they could hold our spot until an hour later.
"No," she said. "You lost your table as a no-show. But if you show up, we can probably still get you one."
We showed up. The place was very busy, nearly every table taken, but there was one they led us to in the back. It was right next to the bathroom. A tiny round two top, and the chairs they use back there feel a bit unstable. It's not terribly comfortable.
The server was very distracted and took our order. No mention of the special occasion I had pointed out.
The wine was passable but underwhelming. The place was loud, lots of people on phone conversations. The atmosphere is not at all the fault of the servers, of course, but Koenig has a very "corporate" vibe to it. Large indoor space with heavy acoustics, dozens of tables. Very loud.
We left after the first wine in our flight. Decided to go to St. Chappelle...
As I drove away from Koenig, I couldn't help but notice a couple of kids at the top of this beautiful tower with a view over the whole area. If you google Koenig you'll see the two story tower immediately near the stairs. It appeared to have a table up top.
"Why wouldn't they use that for a birthday?" I thought. "I told them I would pay extra. They could have set that up for my wife and I." They had told me instead that everything on the patio is "first-come, first-served."
Look, I get it. Koenig has enough business, they can afford such a policy. But it certainly came off as impersonal.
We went to St. Chapelle instead...and wow! What a difference. ST.CHAPELLE IS SUPERIOR IN EVERY CONCEIVABLE WAY. Check this out...
They didn't know we were coming. We were walk-ins, it was 3pm and slammed. But everyone on staff was immediately friendly and engaging. I saw an empty two-top on the patio, with a beautiful view overlooking the entire valley. I asked if we could have it.
Bryan, one of the friendliest, coolest guy I've met while wine tasting, says, "Don't worry. I'll hook ya up." He said the table had a 3pm reservation, but if they didn't show it was ours.
We sat down, had two magnificent wine flights, one bubbly one fruity, and a great appetizer tray.
At 3:20, Bryan told a server they had waited long enough for the no-show reservation and he had us escorted outside. There we were served to perfection and they asked if it was a special occasion.
"Yes," I said. "It's my wife's birthday."
They brought out a beautifully decorated cheesecake tray. Despite being just as busy as Koenig, everyone at St. Chapelle engages with you, treats you like a person, makes you feel wanted and welcome and as if you are family visiting from out of state. Bryan and Sabrina are especially charming.
So...moral of the story. Koenig isn't lousy. They just came off as dismissive. I understand why. They are more well known and can afford to lose repeat business...which they did in my case. But I will definitely be going back to St. Chapelle's, and I highly recommend them for special occasions!
RS