Thursday, May 27, 2010

Aloha Friday #28

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Therefore, I’ll ask a simple question for you to answer. Nothing that requires a lengthy response. If you’d like to participate, just post your own question on your blog and leave your comment below and link in Kailani’s blog. Don’t forget to visit the other participants! It’s a great way to make new bloggy friends!

This weeks question is: 
Have you ever had a bad experience at a restaurant?

The reason I asked is because my friend posted this about her experience last Friday night at a local restaurant called Tantalus Restaurant Bar & Cafe in  East Aurora, NY.

"HORRIBLE! I am so disappointed because I have been to Tantalus before and loved it each time. Tonight was by far, the worst experience I have EVER had in a restaurant. We invited some friends who had never been to Tantalus to join us for my birthday. We arrived at 7:00 to find a one hour wait for a table. No problem, we enjoyed a drink at the bar, although we did have to stay on the hostess so she didn't forget about us. We were seated at 8:00 pm and promptly ordered drinks and apps. We were eating our apps by 8:30 and had placed our dinner order a few minutes before the apps came. Then we waited, and waited, and waited. Around 9:15 the waitress, who had been over to apologize once already, brought us 2 bowls of "complementary soup" (there were 4 of us at the table) and again apologized for the wait. At 9:40, she came over again and promised to throw in desserts. At this point we started to express some dissatisfaction with our wait time. At 10pm, we decided that it was time to go, without our food because 1.) who wants to eat lobster and fettuccine at 10pm? and 2.) we both had babysitters who needed to get home (time is money, right?). When we requested the check for the food and drink we HAD consumed we were then greeted by the owner of the restaurant who came table-side and proceeded to yell at us and accuse us of trying to eat and run without paying. He insisted that we wait for the food to be boxed up, and that we pay for it. He told us that if we did not take the food or pay for it he would be contacting the authorities. He was rude, obnoxious and sarcastic. At no point did he try to apologize for our excessive wait time, nor did he offer us any kind of restitution. In fact he told me to stop talking to him or he was going to put the soups and desserts on our tab as well since he did not authorize that those were given to us. I will NEVER set foot into that establishment again under any circumstances. There is no food worth that headache."

My friend updated us on Facebook, Monday night...
"Just to let everyone know that I found out this morning that when my friend went to eat the food that she had ordered on Friday night and were forced to take home and pay for, her CHICKEN WAS COMPLETELY RAW! I just got off the phone with the Erie County Health Department and they told me that they have had some other complaints are they are planning a visit to Tantalus in the near future. A surprise visit."

I personally have never had an experience like that.  I probably would have told him to call the police.  I will not be going to that restaurant ever now because of what happened to my friend. 

My Signature

20 Sweet Comments:

Hope said...

that is just crazy! We once went to the Big Texan in Amarillo and had an experience not dissimilar to the one posted here. I just don't know how folks stay in business if they treat their customers like that.

Anonymous said...

Thank you Melanie! I appreciate your love and support! You are a good friend! hugs n kisses, Amy

Anonymous said...

Wow... That's too crazy!! I've never had an experience like that... That's way too ridiculous.

I've had some bad experiences, but nothing worth remembering, really.

Unknown said...

Oh that is outrageous! I have had one really bad experience...but nothing this horrible. Have a great weekend!

Kimberly said...

No way in heck would I put up with that. I'd be contacting the local news and paper too to see if they wouldn't help spread the word. Unbelievable!

Braley Mama said...

oh my goodness! I have worked in restaurants like this. Were the manager was a crazy person who did not care about the customers. I feel horrible it was her birthday. It sounds like the waitress was trying to make up for the manager and the chef. She should quit, or the restaurant should be shut down. Gross!

Tina said...

Makes me happy that we don't eat out much that's for sure.

But what a shame for people that do enjoy going out. That is just a disgrace.

Susan Cook said...

I had a few bad experiences. One finding a dead fly in the bottom of my drink after I already had drank the whole thing. Then they basically accused us of putting the bug in the drink ourselves. They gave me my meal for free. Oh boy. I was so grossed out.

Another time was when I was literally 9 mths. pregnant with my son. My husband & I went out to eat. And the waitress point blank told me what was I doing out, I shouldn't be out when I was that pregnant! I was so mad. Then she didn't get our food, get our condiments, and basically rushed us to get out so they could seat someone else. It was one of the very rare times when I didn't even leave a tip.


Your friend's story sounds horrible. I would be so mad if they made me pay for that food.

Sorry for the lengthy response - lol.

Annie said...

Wow, crazy story!!

We don't have any experienced like yours.

Have a wonderful weekend.

Beth @ TheAngelForever said...

Looks like I have to warn my family out that way to avoid that restaurant at all costs. Never had anything quite that bad happen. I would definitely do what your friend did and also call the local media to get the word out. That is just disgusting behavior from a business owner.

I am Harriet said...

Don't even get me started....

Have a great day!

http://harrietandfriends.com/2010/05/how-to-you-make-friends-online/

The Social Frog said...

I've had to many horrible experiences, thats why it is best to stay home and cook,lol!
Wow, that us gross.

Catherine L. said...

WOW! I have never had an experience like this and hopefully I never will. Your friend did the right thing by contacting the Health Department.

Rach said...

The worst experience I had was on a family holiday to Florida. We went to an Indian restaurant opposite the go karts on I-Drive, the service was terrible, the meals were not well presented and we found several hairs in our food. Then as we complained to the owner, I started feeling ill and was violently sick in their toilets and they accused me of faking it so we wouldn't have to pay! We spent the rest of our holidaty warning people against going there!

Smellyann said...

Yes, I have, but not THAT bad. OMG! I hope they shut the place down. ;)

Anonymous said...

OMG that's awful! What a way to celebrate a birthday. I have had some bad experiences but not that bad.

janetfaye said...

I have had a couple of bad experiences at a restaurant but never as terrible as your friend had.

I had to stop going to one because they were serving me food that was frozen solid in the middle.

Nichole said...

we went to Streets of NY on Wed night and my hub told our waitress he didn't like his (unfinished) meal and she said "well next time..."- never offered him something else or to take it off our bill. . . needless to say, there won't be a next time.

Jess said...

Nothing like that! But hair in my food & rude waitresses for sure!

Natalie A. said...

That's to bad about what happened!

I've had hair in my food and bad service! Thanks for stopping by my blog!

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