"I chose this restaurant because one of my favorite singers was performing there, but unfortunately, the music setup was in the lobby, and we could barely see or hear her. Still, I was glad to support her performance.
About a week prior, I called to inquire about a reservation because I initially thought I might have around 20 guests. The manager I spoke with wasn’t rude, but she was adamant that they don’t take reservations. I explained that one family in our group was bringing an elderly person and someone who was visually impaired, hoping to reserve at least one table for four. The manager refused, which struck me as lacking wisdom. I understand the importance of following rules, but accommodating elderly and visually impaired individuals seems like a reasonable exception.
Fortunately, my guests were very patient when it came to waiting for a table. I believe the hostess's name was Jordan, and she was very sweet and accommodating. When I arrived, I informed her we had 11 people, and she reassured me that they would get us seated without much of a wait, which was great to hear.
When I initially called, all I wanted was some assurance that they would do their best to accommodate our large party upon arrival, given the no-reservation policy. The manager suggested getting there early because they often had a line when they opened. However, with an opening time of 8:00 AM and my guests arriving closer to 11:00 AM, it wasn’t practical for me to show up at opening time and wait for three hours.
While I understand that no-shows can be frustrating, I believe the manager could have been more friendly and accommodating, providing reassurance instead of worrying me about whether we would all be seated together. If it weren't for the performance, I would have chosen a different place for brunch. The manager's attitude felt defensive, which was disappointing, as she could have been more welcoming, even if reservations weren't possible.
I ended up spending over $300 and left a generous tip. Good customer service should start well before guests arrive, so I’m giving this place a 2-star rating due to the subpar service—though I genuinely appreciated the effort of the hostess."
