Need your feedback-would you go back to this restaurant? - YorkieTalk.com Forums

Carol607 · 05-31-2011, 02:59 PM

Ok-this is a little long but I want to be sure you have the right context. There is a neighborhood restaurant that we go to frequently and have spent tons of money at over the last 15 years. A few years ago, they opened up an outdoor area. Before our previous yorkie got too sick to go, we took her to eat out there a couple times with no problem. Last year we waited to the end of the summer to bring our new yorkie, Jamie, since we wanted to be sure she was grown up enough. We knew that we were in for trouble when we walked out there and a couple was fighting with each other. The woman gave me a look that could kill. I knew she wasn't happy about the dog. I went to sit as far away as possible from them. Jamie was an absolute angel througout the dinner. You would never have known she was there if not for a few people who came to admire her and pet her. When we went to pay, our waitress told us that the couple had written really nasty things about the dog on the comment card. She also said that they were the nastiest people, never had been to this restaurant before and were not happy when they came in. She told me that she already had spoken to the owner about them and how great Jamie was and not to worry. On the way out of the restaurant, I checked in with the owner and he reassured me that all was ok and to bring Jamie back.

Fast forward to this year. We spoke to a couple of the senior waiters and let them knew we would be bringing Jamie when the weather got nice and we said we would eat early so the outdoor area would not be crowded. They were very enthusiatic about it. My DH called for reservations for 5pm on a Saturday night and told them we would be bringing the dog and wanted to eat outside. An hour later we got a call back from the manager who said that we couldn't bring the dog because the owner said there were a couple of complaints and he couldn't take a chance. I argued briefly with the manager and said that as far as I knew there was only one complaint from that nasty couple and the owner had welcomed us back. He then asked me if we were keeping the reservation without the dog and I said no.

I really don't plan to go back to this restaurant. It is not only the fact that they chose some unknown cranky customers over us, who could have eaten inside if they were that perturbed, it is also that the owner himself did not call us. What does everybody think?

ladyjane · 05-31-2011, 03:02 PM

I would contact the owner to be absolutely sure that this is his policy before making my decision.

BlueBelle · 05-31-2011, 03:06 PM

No I wouldn't go back. Also, I would write the manager a letter explaining basically what you said here. You have been a good customer all these years and they apparently valued the other customers business over yours so they needn't be worried they won't have you or your dog back.

shodanusmc · 05-31-2011, 03:07 PM

I refuse to eat at any restaurant that readily would let me in.

jojomima · 05-31-2011, 03:10 PM

I would talk to the owner personally first. If he does not want the dog there, then I would not return.
Good luck.

gidget529 · 05-31-2011, 03:13 PM

My husband suggested writing a review card yourself about the restaurant. A couple fighting, ruining decks atmosphere, being rude and complaining about loyal patrons, and then rest. staff is rude to loyal patron instead of aplogizing for poor dining exp due to couple fighting/ruining atmosphere.

BabyGirl Rosie · 05-31-2011, 03:24 PM

I would not go back. But that is just me. I would call the owner and even above him just to find out what the policy is for the restaurant. Many around here will allow dogs if there is an outside area. But I am funny about things. So, nope I would not return at all.

Perrella · 05-31-2011, 03:25 PM

I agree with LadyJane check with the owner first. If it is his policy, ask why he changed, remind him you have been a loyal patron for 15 years...then make your decision.

It would be easy for me....NOPE not going back.

Sorry, that's just me.

BabyGirl Rosie · 05-31-2011, 03:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shodanusmc

I refuse to eat at any restaurant that readily would let me in.

Only you would say this!!!

Perrella · 05-31-2011, 03:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gidget529

My husband suggested writing a review card yourself about the restaurant. A couple fighting, ruining decks atmosphere, being rude and complaining about loyal patrons, and then rest. staff is rude to loyal patron instead of aplogizing for poor dining exp due to couple fighting/ruining atmosphere.

OH yeah, this is a really good idea

107barney · 05-31-2011, 03:29 PM

I'd take my biz elsewhere.

together4ever · 05-31-2011, 03:29 PM

In Wisconsin only service dogs are allowed in public (restaurants, stores, public transportation, etc.)

I wish I could bring Molly with me.

Taryn0405 · 05-31-2011, 03:34 PM

Wow, what jerks. I would call the owner and explain how you don't appreciate being told one thing, and then being disrespected the next time. Especially mention how you find it comical that you allow animals in the resurant (i.e. the rude couple) and not polite dinner guests (your furbaby).

megansmomma · 05-31-2011, 03:41 PM

I would double check with the owner and take it from there. There are nasty people everywhere. I'm sorry this happened to you.

Carol607 · 05-31-2011, 03:49 PM

Thanks for the feedback everyone. I might contact the owner in the future but I am really too angry right now. He knows who we are and should have called us himself instead of delegating the manager to do it. In NYC, restaurants with outdoor areas can allow dogs. In Manhattan every other restaurant has an outdoor area and most allow dogs. In Staten island, there are only a few restaurants with outdoor areas and a few that welcome dogs. I think we will be going to those restaurants.

05-31-2011, 02:59 PM	#1
Carol607 Donating Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Staten Island NY Posts: 350	Need your feedback-would you go back to this restaurant? Ok-this is a little long but I want to be sure you have the right context. There is a neighborhood restaurant that we go to frequently and have spent tons of money at over the last 15 years. A few years ago, they opened up an outdoor area. Before our previous yorkie got too sick to go, we took her to eat out there a couple times with no problem. Last year we waited to the end of the summer to bring our new yorkie, Jamie, since we wanted to be sure she was grown up enough. We knew that we were in for trouble when we walked out there and a couple was fighting with each other. The woman gave me a look that could kill. I knew she wasn't happy about the dog. I went to sit as far away as possible from them. Jamie was an absolute angel througout the dinner. You would never have known she was there if not for a few people who came to admire her and pet her. When we went to pay, our waitress told us that the couple had written really nasty things about the dog on the comment card. She also said that they were the nastiest people, never had been to this restaurant before and were not happy when they came in. She told me that she already had spoken to the owner about them and how great Jamie was and not to worry. On the way out of the restaurant, I checked in with the owner and he reassured me that all was ok and to bring Jamie back. Fast forward to this year. We spoke to a couple of the senior waiters and let them knew we would be bringing Jamie when the weather got nice and we said we would eat early so the outdoor area would not be crowded. They were very enthusiatic about it. My DH called for reservations for 5pm on a Saturday night and told them we would be bringing the dog and wanted to eat outside. An hour later we got a call back from the manager who said that we couldn't bring the dog because the owner said there were a couple of complaints and he couldn't take a chance. I argued briefly with the manager and said that as far as I knew there was only one complaint from that nasty couple and the owner had welcomed us back. He then asked me if we were keeping the reservation without the dog and I said no. I really don't plan to go back to this restaurant. It is not only the fact that they chose some unknown cranky customers over us, who could have eaten inside if they were that perturbed, it is also that the owner himself did not call us. What does everybody think?

05-31-2011, 03:02 PM	#2
ladyjane Resident Yorkie Nut Donating YT 20K Club Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Texas Posts: 27,466	I would contact the owner to be absolutely sure that this is his policy before making my decision. __________________ CLOUD NINE BEDS--YORKIE HAVEN RESCUE MY ETSY SHOP

05-31-2011, 03:13 PM	#6
gidget529 Gidget & Sidney's Mom Donating Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: PA Posts: 3,462	My husband suggested writing a review card yourself about the restaurant. A couple fighting, ruining decks atmosphere, being rude and complaining about loyal patrons, and then rest. staff is rude to loyal patron instead of aplogizing for poor dining exp due to couple fighting/ruining atmosphere. __________________ Mommy to Gidget, Sidney & Cricket(RIP)

05-31-2011, 03:24 PM	#7
BabyGirl Rosie I ♥ my girls! Donating Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: With My Yorkies Posts: 18,980	I would not go back. But that is just me. I would call the owner and even above him just to find out what the policy is for the restaurant. Many around here will allow dogs if there is an outside area. But I am funny about things. So, nope I would not return at all. __________________ Momma to three sweet Yorkie girls Rosie Marie, Mikki Leigh , and Lily Mae Grace!

05-31-2011, 03:25 PM	#8
Perrella Donating YT 5000 Club Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: VA Posts: 8,040	I agree with LadyJane check with the owner first. If it is his policy, ask why he changed, remind him you have been a loyal patron for 15 years...then make your decision. It would be easy for me....NOPE not going back. Sorry, that's just me. __________________ Tena & Zhoie Sweet Little Miracle

05-31-2011, 03:06 PM	#3
BlueBelle Donating YT Addict Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Alpharetta, GA, USA Posts: 1,190	No I wouldn't go back. Also, I would write the manager a letter explaining basically what you said here. You have been a good customer all these years and they apparently valued the other customers business over yours so they needn't be worried they won't have you or your dog back.

05-31-2011, 03:07 PM	#4
shodanusmc BANNED! Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Illinois Posts: 4,603	I refuse to eat at any restaurant that readily would let me in.

05-31-2011, 03:10 PM	#5
jojomima Owned by Shadow Donating Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Medford, NJ, USA Posts: 576	I would talk to the owner personally first. If he does not want the dog there, then I would not return. Good luck.

05-31-2011, 03:29 PM	#11
107barney T. Bumpkins & Co. Donating YT Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: New England Posts: 9,816	I'd take my biz elsewhere. __________________ T. Bumpkins & Co. Washable Doggie Pee Pads (Save 10% Enter YTSAVE10 at checkout) Cathy, Teddy, Winston and Baby Clyde...RIP angels Barney and Daisy

05-31-2011, 03:29 PM	#12
together4ever Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Reedsburg, Wisconsin USA Posts: 122	In Wisconsin only service dogs are allowed in public (restaurants, stores, public transportation, etc.) I wish I could bring Molly with me.

05-31-2011, 03:34 PM	#13
Taryn0405 Owned by a Gremlin Donating Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: The Mitten State! Posts: 3,706	Wow, what jerks. I would call the owner and explain how you don't appreciate being told one thing, and then being disrespected the next time. Especially mention how you find it comical that you allow animals in the resurant (i.e. the rude couple) and not polite dinner guests (your furbaby). __________________ Taryn Momma to Gizmo AKA Monkeyman My husband, daughter, son, and dog make me who I am "My goal in life is to be as good of a person my dog already thinks I am."

05-31-2011, 03:41 PM	#14
megansmomma Donating YT 10K Club Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: S. W. Suburbs of Chicago, IL Posts: 12,235	I would double check with the owner and take it from there. There are nasty people everywhere. I'm sorry this happened to you. __________________ “Never argue with a fool, onlookers may not be able to tell the difference.” Mark Twain

05-31-2011, 03:49 PM	#15
Carol607 Donating Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Staten Island NY Posts: 350	Thanks for the feedback everyone. I might contact the owner in the future but I am really too angry right now. He knows who we are and should have called us himself instead of delegating the manager to do it. In NYC, restaurants with outdoor areas can allow dogs. In Manhattan every other restaurant has an outdoor area and most allow dogs. In Staten island, there are only a few restaurants with outdoor areas and a few that welcome dogs. I think we will be going to those restaurants.