Julian G.
Yelp
Let start off with how this all went down. We had initially planned a dinner at nearby Seasons to commemorate a special date. On our way to Seasons, I remembered that Hotel Chaco has a really scenic rooftop bar that would be nice to grab a quick drink at and snap a few pics with the sunset kissed Sandia mountains in the backdrop.
Upon reaching the 5th floor, we noticed the entrance of the restaurant with an empty host booth in front of it with no host in sight. Note, this was my first time here. As the place was relatively dead and no host around, we just walked in and found a table on the balcony. The only thing that remotely saves this review is how beautiful the venue is. Based on that, it should probably be about half a star.
On our way to the table, I immediately can feel awkward gazes from people both customers and staff. I've had this happen some other places that weren't melting pots like Albuquerque, but never here. This is a more touristy section of town, so I guess it should be expected. The looks very much made me feel unwelcome. Maybe I was underdressed? Maybe a bit too Hispanic looking?
My date was excited to be up there and didn't catch the same energy I was feeling, so I just kept quiet.
We sit down and take a look at the drinks and menu. Drinks are a bit pricey, but I was still considering it just to enjoy the view. I started browsing the food selections and noticed they don't have much and it is really up there in price for what it is. Service was taking an awkwardly long time to come over to us, so I decided we should just leave and continue on with our date at Seasons. As we're starting to get up, an Olive Oil from Popeye-looking waiter comes up and starts trying to get our order. I explain to him that we are leaving because we have other dinner plans and everything seemed fine. Right when I stand up and begin pushing in my chair, the prick says out loud so that everyone in the nearby vicinity can hear "was it that you have other plans or was the food just too pricey for you?" Of course, some of the other snobs that were already giving us the "you don't belong look" turn to stare. I calmly told this asshat waiter "it's not your prices, you don't have much to offer" and we left.
Seriously, eff this judgmental establishment. Ownership should vet their waitstaff better. With the high priced food, I'm sure this is a hot job for waitstaff. Or maybe, based on other reviews, management is just fine with this type of behavior and things will never change. I don't mind paying high dollar for service and food that are worth it. This place is not worth it. Should have checked Yelp!first.