I debated whether or not to write this post. Bashing local businesses is not part of the Belles of the Sound repertoire. However, we do consider it our duty to inform our readers of the goings-on in Seattle, and as fellow Belle Jeanine said, “it’s not always puppies and kittens.” And let me tell you, there was nothing puppy- or kitten-like about my experience at a certain new restaurant in Fremont that may or may not be located near Brouwer’s Cafe. No, I’m not going to name the restaurant. Leaving the restaurant relatively unknown is my compromise between telling it like it is and helping a new, potentially inexperienced restaurant save (a little) face.
A few things to consider before reading:
- My friends and I never actually sat down, and thus never ate at The Restaurant. For all I know, the food could be fantastic. But as someone from the episode of Top Chef I watched last night said, “People come for the food, but they return for the service.” In our case, we came for the food and left because of the service. Yes, it was that bad.
- Bad service is a huge pet peeve of mine. Having spent roughly four years in the service industry, I know what constitutes good service, and am more understanding than most when mistakes are made and/or accidents happen. With that said, when the service is inexcusably terrible, I have no patience, and will become more annoyed than the average person. You may read this post and think I’m a huge jerk. If so, enlighten me with a comment. Maybe you can alter my opinion of The Restaurant.
Shannon and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Restaurant Experience
Shannon and four friends makes plans for the upcoming Friday to check out a new restaurant in Fremont. When one friend calls to make a reservation, she is informed that The Restaurant only accepts reservations for parties of six or more. The group finds this policy annoying, but understandable, and agrees to meet at The Restaurant around 7:30 figuring that if there is a long wait, they’ll just have drink or two in the bar until a table is ready.
On Friday, Shannon arrives a bit early at approximately 7:10. Upon arrival the hostess greet her.
“Hi, there will be five of us,” Shannon says.
“Do you have a reservation?” the hostess asks.
“No, we were informed only parties of six or more could make reservations,” Shannon replies.
“Oh, yes… that’s right. We only accept reservations for six or more,” the hostess says a bit warily. “Sorry about that. And it looks like we’re on an hour wait.”
Shannon looks around the room and sees at least four open tables. A couple two tops, a few four tops – she wonders how the wait can be an hour when the hostess could easily seat five people at table originally meant for four. Seeing as her friends are already running late, Shannon figures an hour wait at a new restaurant on Friday night isn’t so bad, and doesn’t ask any questions regarding the empty tables. She gives the hostess her name… and then realizes the hostess doesn’t have a wait list going. An hour wait, with empty tables and no wait list. Peculiar. The hostess rummages around in a drawer, pulls out scraps of paper and writes “Shannon, 5” at the top of one piece, but doesn’t bother to write the time. Shannon steps aside to watch the hostess go through the same reservation spiel with a couple who is also waiting for a table.
“So all those empty tables are reserved?” the gentlemen asks.
“Yes, those are all reserved.” the hostess states.
“Even the tables for two?” he asks.
“Yes.” the hostess replies and walks away.
That doesn’t make any sense, Shannon thinks. How can a table for two be reserved when reservations are only accepted for tables of six or more?
Annoyed, Shannon walks into the bar to wait for her friends. Twenty minutes go by and Shannon has still not been greeted or served by the bartender. During this time, other people have walked into the bar, been greeted, served a drink AND retrieved by the hostess to be seated in the restaurant. Oddly enough, these lucky people are in groups of two, three or four, and are being seated at “reserved” tables. As Shannon is stewing over these details, a Restaurant staff member carrying a dish bucket bumps into her knocking her into the man behind her who spills his beer. Shannon’s purse falls off her arm and on to the floor. The guy carrying the bucket turns to look at them, shrugs his shoulders and keeps walking. No apology, no nothing. Mind you, Shannon is not standing in the way, but at a long community table – where guests are supposed to stand. About now, Shannon’s friend Marianne arrives. Deciding to divide and conquer, Shannon goes to wait for their other friends at the front of the restaurant while Marianne tries to get the bartenders attention.
“Hi, what can I get you?” asks the bartender.
“Two Sauvignon Blancs, please,” says Marianne.
“Sure thing,” replies the bartender.
Ten minutes later.
“Hi, what can I get you?” asks the bartender.
“Umm, two Sav Blancs…” Marianne begins to say.
“Oh, that’s right,” the bartender says cutting in. “It going to be a while on those. I’m really busy up here.”
How long could it possibly take to pour two glasses of wine? Marianne wonders. Especially seeing as I placed my order ten minutes ago.
Frustrated she walks to the front of the restaurant to join Shannon and the newly arrived other members of their party, one of whom is an addition. Seeing a table set for five, Marianne hopes they will be sat soon.
Shannon taps the hostess’ arm. “Hi, sorry to bother you, but it looks like we’re going to be a party of six, not five.”
“Hmm, okay, who are you?” the hostess asks with a blank, I-hate-you smile.
“Shannon for five,” Shannon states.
“Um, okay. It’s going to be about an hour,” the hostess says.
“Yes, you told me that before. We’ve already been here about 40 minutes, so it should only be about another 20, right?” Shannon asks.
“Yeah… I don’t really remember when I wrote your name down,” the hostess says with a definite attitude. “I’m a little flustered, okay? We’re very busy, and it’s going to be another hour before we can seat you.”
“So we will have waited a grand total of an hour and 40 plus minutes for a table?” Shannon challenges. “Even though there’s a table set for five right there.”
“Yes, it looks like it,” the stupid, incompetent hostess replies.
Please keep in mind that the restaurant is now full, and plenty of people who arrived after Shannon and her friends have been seated. Without reservations. In tables apparently reserved for reservations of two to five people even though only parties of six are accepted.
A group of five walks in the front door. They don’t have reservations. The hostess seats them right away at the table Shannon and Marianne had both noticed earlier.
The group walks out of the new restaurant in Fremont that may or may not be located near Brouwer’s Café appalled and hungry. Never, ever have any of them been treated that way at a restaurant, new or not.
In review:
An hour wait turned into nearly two
Rude and incompetent staff
Service was either non-existent or bad
Fake reservation policy
UGGGHHHH ARRRRGGGHHHH. I get heated just writing about it. Needless to say, I don’t ever plan on going back. But I’m curious, what do you think? Am I over reacting? Are my feelings justified? I’d really love to hear what you think.
With Bike to Work Month well underway, Redhook Brewery is doing it’s part as host of the 17th annual Haul Ash Redhook Tour De Brew which commemorates the 1980 eruption of Mt. St. Helens. Over the years, Haul Ash has become a great tradition for local cyclist and 
at feature local art, nibbles and beverages EVERY first Friday of the month. It’s like free dinner and drinks while being cultured and meeting some awesome small business owners.