I don't have to do that again

[susandennis]

I tried out a new brunch place today - St. Clouds. It's a cute little neighborhood place in one of the tonier neighborhoods in town. The food was ok. The service was sucko big time.

When I walked in, there was one dude on the phone at what looked like a hostess station. He did not acknowledge me in anyway so I stood there while he finished up his conversation. When he finally got to me, he was clearly disappointed that I was only 1. He said I could sit at the counter but they couldn't give me a table since they had reservations (the joint was fairly empty). One look at the counter stools told me that was a no. They were the thigh killer kind.

So I flashed a smile and gracefully told him I'd come back another time and turned to leave. But he, and by then, another guy, came out and said that no, they could seat me at one of the small tables. I should have left. But I didn't.

I finally got a cup of coffee. The wait for food was pretty long. I asked for more coffee and got it. Then I finished and waited for my check. And waited. Finally, I pulled a $20 bill out of my wallet and held it ... for ... a ... long ... time.

The place is small. I could see everyone who worked there and they could see me. Several tables that came in after I did, got their checks and left.

Finally a woman, not my waiter, asked if I wanted more coffee and I said that I was really just waiting for my check please.

I felt a sense of prison release by the time I did get out of there. Whew. So not worth it.


But, now I'm home - laundry is laundrying. All is fine.

Comments

What? Bad service? For shame!!!

[jblindsight.livejournal.com]

I hate poor service in a restaurant. Around here, the more you pay, seems like the less service you get. San Luis Obispo is the big offender, the exception being Big Sky where the service is always excellent (so is the food). A few years ago, after waiting over 40 minutes - water, but no menu - my friend and I finally walked out even though we were both starving. That was the first time I'd ever done that, and it felt great. My new policy is to wait ten minutes for my waitress or waiter to show up, leave if they don't.

I was in Capitola one time and our waitress disappeared for over an hour, AFTER getting my friend's order wrong. When I got home, I wrote a note to the manager expressing my displeasure, he forwarded his apologies along with a gift certificate for two free dinners. I recommend you do the same. I know if I was manager of a restaurant I wouldn't want any bad reviews on the internet.

[johncomic.livejournal.com]

We tend to eat at blue-collar joints and the service is usually fine. One small advantage to not having a lotta money...

[london1952.livejournal.com]

Sounds like a nightmare place ! You should have done "a runner" ! LOL ;-)