jesteinf wrote:Either way, it's always an insane amount of food which has never left me looking for extra courses.
eatchicago wrote:My only time dining at S&S, we were offered a 7-course tasting menu. One of the courses was a sorbet, which I don't really consider a "course".
Akatonbo, I wonder if they had told you the correct number of courses and not over-promised any "extras", would you have enjoyed your meal there? (I'm curious about the menu you had). Personally, I don't see these as reasons enough to never return.
Akatonbo wrote:Overall, we did agree it was an enjoyable meal. Now that I know they didn't stiff us on the courses, we probably will go back - once they change the menu.
BR wrote:You'll be happy to know that the tasting menu changes all the time (not sure if it changes every week, but I wouldn't be surprised).
Akatonbo wrote:Which brings me to the second reason - the bald guy.
eatchicago wrote:We were served by "the bald guy", who was affable, friendly and very helpful. He was happy to discuss the food with and wine us and even provide a little extra splash of the wines that I really loved.
babern38 wrote:I would also like to comment that my family and I also were served by the bald guy and received some very interesting comments/remarks to various questions or comments, which slighly disrupted the mood of our dinner.
For instance, my wife had a tomato bread soup, or something like that, which had nearly a cup of olive oil floating on top. She only ate a little because all the oil was making her ill. When the bald guy asked if everything was okay and she politely commented that it tasted fine, but she found there to be way too much olive oil. He simply said, "well thats how that dish is served". It was just said very bluntly and defensively. If you didn't want to know, then don't ask, but don't make the guest feel wrong for stating their opinion you asked for.
Cathy2 wrote:They read this board, like a lot of other restaurant professionals and media, then write a note trying to mend the fence.
although the food was great, we came away resolving not to bother going back
Then he ended by saying he hoped we would find a better fit in our next dining experience!
Akatonbo wrote:Overall, we did agree it was an enjoyable meal. Now that I know they didn't stiff us on the courses, we probably will go back - once they change the menu.
Mike, that was from the first post, not Akatonbo's subsequent post. She clearly had changed her mind.
If someone has already resolved not to go back, publicly, what would be the point of the owner pretending otherwise?
we probably will go back - once they change the menu.
it seems no matter what they try to do they are damned if they do and damned if they don't.
jesteinf wrote:There's a lot of crap out there. S&S should be appreciated for what it is and not picked apart for every single misstep they make.
gleam wrote:jesteinf wrote:There's a lot of crap out there. S&S should be appreciated for what it is and not picked apart for every single misstep they make.
I know! I hate it when people mention bad experiences with a restaurant!
Double YUM!
Mike G wrote:although the food was great, we came away resolving not to bother going backThen he ended by saying he hoped we would find a better fit in our next dining experience!
Frankly, assuming the owner did read this thread as appears to be the case, you ARE misreading the gist of the communication that Akatonbo received. If someone has already resolved not to go back, publicly, what would be the point of the owner pretending otherwise?
Ms. Paris wrote:One of the drawbacks to reading boards like this if you're a chef is that you're bound to read criticism of your work. Some of it may not even be justified. It's hard not to be defensive, but you just can't take it personally.
If you believe and take in every accolade received (in the press), then you will subject to believing and taking in every negative statement about you. It is far better to scant notice of either praise or criticism, otherwise it will rule your life.
It wasn't a mean or nasty e-mail, it just didn't sound like a genuine attempt to keep a customer
jesteinf wrote:If people were going to S&S and reporting back that the food was uninspired, poorly prepared, or some other terrible food-related experience, the community has every right to know about it. People should not hesitate one bit to discuss negative experiences at restaurants.
jesteinf wrote:For a small, neighborhood place trying to do something different, I just don't feel like they deserve that kind of treatment.