"I've been frequenting the reception bar for a few years now, and I used to love the great drinks and the nice atmosphere. It was my go-to spot in the lower east side of Chinatown. Overall, I've had good experiences, but I've noticed a decline in service quality recently. Most notably, during my last visit, about 40 minutes in, I had an uncomfortable encounter with a server named JJ. He continually pressured my friend and me to order drinks or settle our bill, making us feel rushed to leave. It became quite awkward, and my friend felt compelled to smooth things over by being overly friendly, while JJ responded in a cold and curt manner. Although I've always enjoyed my time here with my non-black friends, this recent experience left me feeling deeply disappointed. I’ve never felt so hurried during visits with my white or Asian friends. This situation was a clear example of anti-black racism in a space that is meant to be welcoming to people of color."
