KRYSTEL VARGAS
Google
From the point of view of my wife:
Let me be clear: I've been coming to this restaurant for 18 years. Nearly two decades. I've celebrated milestones here, brought out-of-town guests here, and supported this place through thick and thin. So when I finally got my appetite back after weeks of brutal pregnancy-related nausea, I chose this restaurant first.
And it turned out to be the biggest mistake I could've made.
My husband walked in ahead of me and quietly asked the staff if we could be allowed to order half rolls at a table -- something normally reserved for bar seating -- because I'm pregnant and sitting at the bar is physically uncomfortable. The staff member said it was no problem. My husband came out, helped me inside, and we sat down.
Then Head Chef Ryan stormed up to our table and humiliated me in front of the entire restaurant. He raised his voice and said:
"If we made exceptions for every pregnant woman with an excuse, we'd have to make exceptions for everyone."
And then, looking me in the eye, added:
"If you're pregnant..."
As if I was lying. As if carrying a child and asking for a previously approved accommodation was some kind of con.
The tone, the condescension, the absolute lack of empathy -- it was disgusting.
What kind of business allows their head chef to accuse women of faking pregnancy in public? I have never been so shocked and degraded at a restaurant -- and that includes chains with far less prestige. This wasn't a bad moment. This was hostile, targeted, and intentional.
To ownership and upper management: If you don't address this, you're complicit. You've lost a loyal customer, and I will make it my mission to ensure others know how women -- pregnant women -- are treated in your restaurant when they dare to ask for a little understanding.
There are better restaurants. Better food. Better people.
Go literally anywhere else.