Eric M.
Yelp
As a resident of Knightdale, I was excited to see this restaurant being built. My wife and I enjoyed great food and service our first few visits, and it was my first choice when booking a Valentine's Dinner for my wife, my ten year old daughter, and me. I paid the $50 per person reservation fee, and looked forward to a great family night out.
We arrived on time for our reservation, and proceeded to wait 30 minutes before being seated. No problem, I thought - people must be sitting a bit longer than anticipated following their meal. Besides, we were not the only ones as the entrance was crowded with people in the exact same situation, and the bar had to ask the hostess to stop sending people to wait there, as they too were at capacity.
After being seated, we sat for 10 minutes before anyone approached us. Again, I said nothing, recognizing that the restaurant may have been a bit ambitious with the timing of their reservations. That much was clear by looking around the room at other couples who seemed to be sharing our experience.
We placed our orders, and then proceeded to wait more than hour before our food was brought. Again, I said nothing, for the reasons set forth above. However, upon my first bite of the $80 wagyu, I was taken aback by how cold it was. (I say this as someone who only eats his steak rare). My wife and daughters' medium steaks was similarly cold to the touch. All were cold enough that I had food safety concerns.
At this point my grace had been eroded, and I let the waitress know that we would not be eating the food and just wanted our check for my drinks and the food that we had eaten. I was told by the waitress that the owner said, despite all of the above, I would have to pay for the meal in its entirety, including the 20% large party surcharge they were including for the Valentine's Day dinner crowd. I have questions about the pusillanimous character of a business owner who would let the waitress be the one to deliver a message like this, and asked if I could at least speak to the owner if that was going to be the position he was taking.
When I spoke with the owner there was zero empathy, remorse, or apology - the only statement he made was that "You ordered the food, you are going to have to pay for it." To be clear - this isn't a case where I raised a complaint only after eating the meal.
I rarely leave reviews, and even more rarely leave negative reviews for small, local business. However, I was shocked by the lack of accountability shown by the owner. Rather than make a public showing of my discord, I agreed to pay the bill so that I could try to salvage a fun family night out. I hope he is in dire need of the $374.49 that he felt that he and his restaurant earned by seating us late, letting an understaffed waitstaff serve us, and serving us "fine dining" so cold that I did not feel comfortable eating.
Needless to say I will not be going back to this establishment, or anything associated with the Knightdale "Hospitality" Group.