Gonzalo P.
Yelp
I am going to agree with Mike D. on his review of how we were treated as well. We are residents of Brewster and this is our third time visiting this place and the last time, because regardless of how amazing the food is, the treatment we have received is consistent and it is always disrespectful from the hosting position.
Because of our previous experience, we called ahead to see if they have a reservation policy, because the restaurant is always full and has a long wait. Like I said, the food is amazing, so the lines are long and so is the wait.
Their policy is that they do not make reservations ahead of time and that it is on a first come-first serve basis. They do add you to the waitlist, but you have to call ahead of time, to see if they started a list, otherwise is on a first come-first serve basis.
We called the restaurant and asked them to be added to the waiting list, but because it was early (5:00PM) there were still tables available. Since they had not started a waiting list, they could not reserve a table and we were fine with that agreement, because they had already explained the rules to us ahead of time.
We arrived at the restaurant and we wanted to sit outside. There was a table available outside and we requested, if we could take that one. They said that the table was reserved for people that were waiting for tables and wanted to have a drink, while waiting or for a larger party. We decided not to make a big deal and agreed to be seated inside.
The hostess took us inside and the place was empty, except for the bar and two more tables with guests. The hostess sat us by the kitchen area on the corner, even though there were at least 10 more tables available with better sitting arrangements ("I guess that us looking like recently tanned Latinos, did not deserve a better seating arrangement"). We asked for a change and we were told that only tables with "place mats" were able to be used and there were none with a 4-seating arrangement. We figured that maybe it was a Covid-19 policy, so we decided to sit there, but after a few minutes, it was just too uncomfortable watching the door open and closing all of the time and watching the food come out. Nothing against that, but when there are 10 other tables available with window side viewing, why settle on the worst table, when the place is basically empty.
We told our waitress that we would prefer to wait for other sitting arrangement, even if it meant waiting an additional 15-30 minutes and really did not make a big deal out of it. Our waitress was kind enough, but visibly uncomfortable that we were placed in this situation, when the place was empty and decided to intercede on our behalf with the host (Thank You for that!)
The host decided to reluctantly place us at a 6 spot table by the window, which we kindly accepted. We were a little flabbergasted that the table next to us was a 4 spot table and that the host could have sat us there and save the 6 spot table for a bigger party. Then again, we normalized the situation by thinking that it was Covid-19 and maybe they wanted some space separation and besides, the table did not have any place mats, so I guess nobody could sit there anyway, so the place remained empty, while we ordered our food.
All of a sudden the place started buzzing with excitement and we were wondering what was going on. The excitement was a large group of waspy looking customers (probably regulars) that walked in the restaurant to eat and given their attire and look, definitely looked like big spenders.
The hostess walked in the restaurant and asked a couple that already had their drinks and setup on the table and asked them to move to the 4 spot table next to us (all of a sudden, the policies went out the door, like the kitchen door banging at us a few minutes ago). Not a big deal, but they had to pick up their own drinks and silverware and move to another table to accommodate our "new guests".
They started moving tables together, getting the "place mats" and silverware and started setting tables in an instant. All of a sudden two large tables appeared out of thin air and our guests of about 12 people were all seated to our amusement and wonderment ... "what happened to the policies?"
When we were about to place our order, our waitress suggested that we order ahead of the larger tables, so that there would not be any delays to our order (we appreciated that as well, she was really nice).
Again, nothing against the food, our waitress who was phenomenal for vouching for us and taking care of us, but sincerely upset about the insensitivity of a host who's primary job is to welcome and make people feel welcomed and did not do her job!