John M.
Yelp
Our server was wonderful and attentive. The drinks were ok, but do not recommend the espresso martinis. That's about where the good times stopped. The manager, Kieran, has an attitude. A group of us work in the industry and had all been very tolerant of the slow service from the bar, which the server was very apologetic for, and when one of our friends, who could barely afford their overly-inflated happy hour, grabbed a slice of dollar pizza for himself and another friend sitting at the table down the street, Kieran approached us, and asked us what our "though process was" when we could've gotten pizza at the bar (which, like the happy hour, was pretty pricey). Stunned, i asked him what exactly he meant, because i would NEVER ever speak to a customer in this way (coming from a server at a fine-dining restaurant just down the block. No "unfortunately we don't allow outside food" (which we all totally would have understood, even though the poor kid is a college student and just wanted to eat something affordable after spending way more than he thought he was given the misleading happy hour prices. I apologized and asked for the check, and told him we would leave. (I don't know about you all, but i personally do not need someone talking down to me in the tone and manner he was after a long day of work). Paid the server for the second time (we had re-opened our check realizing that some of us could actually stay out longer due to obligations being canceled) and tipped 20% both times, on checks averaging $150+ each, $300+ in total, and realized I needed a printed receipt even though I had, out of habit, clicked no receipt. I went inside to ask if I could get the receipt, which the server happily gave me. At this point, the manager confronted me and said "so you thought I was being rude?" and I explained to him that all he needed to say was something along the lines of "unfortunately we don't allow outside food at our venue" instead of condescendingly shaming his customers and pointed out that we had been respectful and kind to his staff, who more than likely were on a budget as well, given that they work in the service industry. He mentioned that we work in the service industry as well, to which I pointed out that I have no problem accommodating outside drinks and snacks as long as the customer treats the employees with respect and orders at least something to eat or drink (we had ordered plenty of both as a group). I've worked in the service industry in various customer service roles for nearly ten years, and I am shocked that anyone would speak this way to a customer. Next time I want an espresso martini that costs $10 and isn't even made with real espresso, I'll at least be going to a restaurant that treats their customers with respect.
