Went to Village, left not a happy camper [General]
2012 Aug 19
@Fresh Foodie: In hindsight it's quite possible that I overreacted -- it had, after all, been a week since I'd been to Union and withdrawal symptoms may have been kicking in.
But can we also admit that others may have overreacted here in the forums as well? After all, somewhere in the ether is a post title that screams "Worst waitstaff, walked out of Hintonburg Public House" and here's the thing: after reading about said trauma I just don't agree that the OP experienced anything even close to the worst in customer service. And, as m0nkyman pointed out, what about people who just scan the post titles and don't actually read the thread to form their own opinion?
Here's what I know about the Hintonburg Public House: they're an excellent addition to the neighbourhood and a much welcome alternative to the likes of the Royal Joke. Food and drink matter here, a lot actually, and their selection and menu reflects thought, quality and TLC. Based on my few visits I would describe the service as lukewarm yet competent, although one time it was truly welcoming. The worst waitstaff? At HPH? Sorry but this post title was hyperbole, not a public service announcement. May I tactfully suggest that some people need to get out a bit more? ;o)
For the record, I don't doubt a word of that particular post, in fact I have a pretty good idea which server the OP is referring to and yeah, I can see him giving this kind of attitude. However last I checked, HPH's servers were all human, those funny animals that have been known to sleep poorly, suffer from PMS, put their foot in their mouth, and sometimes just aren't as clever and witty as they hope to be. For most of us humans these are awkward moments where we cringe inwardly and then try to move on as quickly as possible. But if you're serving tables in a trendy neighbourhood, then there's a good chance your gaffe will be publicized on an internet forum, and the next thing you know you'll be renamed Buffoon Boy. Can you say ouch?
Quite frankly I was surprised that you allowed what basically amounted to a personal rant as a topic here in the forums. The OP responded to the server's cheekiness by leaving HPH and letting the owner know why on his way out. HPH has an entry on this site: aren't restaurant-specific comments supposed to be posted over there, alongside everyone else's experiences, so that readers can form their own opinions based on the amalgamation of individual reviews?
I'm happy for you to apply some creative editing upthread, but if this is about fairness shouldn't the post title referencing HPH also get a facelift?
The restaurant business looks like a tough enough slog and finding halfway competent staff seems like one of the hardest parts. Let's keep in mind that at the end of the day the server's job is to take the customer's order and deliver it in timely fashion with as straight a face as possible. The good ones make you believe they want to be there and that they want you to be there too, while the really good ones make a customer feel warm and fuzzy. The truly great ones are all working at The Wellington Gastropub so there's not much HPH or other restaurants can do about that... ;o)
But can we also admit that others may have overreacted here in the forums as well? After all, somewhere in the ether is a post title that screams "Worst waitstaff, walked out of Hintonburg Public House" and here's the thing: after reading about said trauma I just don't agree that the OP experienced anything even close to the worst in customer service. And, as m0nkyman pointed out, what about people who just scan the post titles and don't actually read the thread to form their own opinion?
Here's what I know about the Hintonburg Public House: they're an excellent addition to the neighbourhood and a much welcome alternative to the likes of the Royal Joke. Food and drink matter here, a lot actually, and their selection and menu reflects thought, quality and TLC. Based on my few visits I would describe the service as lukewarm yet competent, although one time it was truly welcoming. The worst waitstaff? At HPH? Sorry but this post title was hyperbole, not a public service announcement. May I tactfully suggest that some people need to get out a bit more? ;o)
For the record, I don't doubt a word of that particular post, in fact I have a pretty good idea which server the OP is referring to and yeah, I can see him giving this kind of attitude. However last I checked, HPH's servers were all human, those funny animals that have been known to sleep poorly, suffer from PMS, put their foot in their mouth, and sometimes just aren't as clever and witty as they hope to be. For most of us humans these are awkward moments where we cringe inwardly and then try to move on as quickly as possible. But if you're serving tables in a trendy neighbourhood, then there's a good chance your gaffe will be publicized on an internet forum, and the next thing you know you'll be renamed Buffoon Boy. Can you say ouch?
Quite frankly I was surprised that you allowed what basically amounted to a personal rant as a topic here in the forums. The OP responded to the server's cheekiness by leaving HPH and letting the owner know why on his way out. HPH has an entry on this site: aren't restaurant-specific comments supposed to be posted over there, alongside everyone else's experiences, so that readers can form their own opinions based on the amalgamation of individual reviews?
I'm happy for you to apply some creative editing upthread, but if this is about fairness shouldn't the post title referencing HPH also get a facelift?
The restaurant business looks like a tough enough slog and finding halfway competent staff seems like one of the hardest parts. Let's keep in mind that at the end of the day the server's job is to take the customer's order and deliver it in timely fashion with as straight a face as possible. The good ones make you believe they want to be there and that they want you to be there too, while the really good ones make a customer feel warm and fuzzy. The truly great ones are all working at The Wellington Gastropub so there's not much HPH or other restaurants can do about that... ;o)
2012 Aug 21
The Epilogue
From Fresh Foodie: "Just to confirm though... your experience was entirely fabricated, no? Your suggestion that I change the name of HPH in the original post to be consistent with my approach to your satirical one implies that your experience at Village was genuine. How much of your posting was satirical and how much was fact?"
My response: "Hahaha... everything at Village happened as recorded with the exception of my call to the Human Rights Commission and my exaggerated assessment of the patrons (ok, some questionable tattoos and footwear but honestly, that sort of thing doesn't ruin my own experience of an establishment ;o)"
"Yes, window table was empty, yes we were told it was reserved, yes we sat at bar, yes we had lukewarm service from busy and disinterested bartender... yes drink was too sweet and no bartender didn't say anything when I answered 'How is it?'"
"Yes we left while my glass was still half full, yes I only tipped 9% and yes window table was still empty when we left (albeit we were there for about 25 minutes)."
"So I had a 'meh' experience at Village in large part due to the service but somehow I managed to escape unscathed: I guess I put up with this kind of indifferent service for so long at The Manx -- when they were the only casual eatery/good food/good drink game in town -- that my skin has thickened. ;o)"
From Fresh Foodie: "Just to confirm though... your experience was entirely fabricated, no? Your suggestion that I change the name of HPH in the original post to be consistent with my approach to your satirical one implies that your experience at Village was genuine. How much of your posting was satirical and how much was fact?"
My response: "Hahaha... everything at Village happened as recorded with the exception of my call to the Human Rights Commission and my exaggerated assessment of the patrons (ok, some questionable tattoos and footwear but honestly, that sort of thing doesn't ruin my own experience of an establishment ;o)"
"Yes, window table was empty, yes we were told it was reserved, yes we sat at bar, yes we had lukewarm service from busy and disinterested bartender... yes drink was too sweet and no bartender didn't say anything when I answered 'How is it?'"
"Yes we left while my glass was still half full, yes I only tipped 9% and yes window table was still empty when we left (albeit we were there for about 25 minutes)."
"So I had a 'meh' experience at Village in large part due to the service but somehow I managed to escape unscathed: I guess I put up with this kind of indifferent service for so long at The Manx -- when they were the only casual eatery/good food/good drink game in town -- that my skin has thickened. ;o)"
Johanna
We were seated at the bar and I perused the drinks menu. Scanning the room I couldn't help but notice the usual myriad permutations witnessed in this city including hoodies, armpits and bad tat jobs, and careful scrutiny beneath the tables confirmed my worst fears: toes (some without a pedicure), crocs with socks, and those bloody sneaker/hiking shoe hybrids that Ottawa seems to love so much. I sighed heavily and thought yes indeed, the terrorists have won.
Then it occurred to me: what if these weren't locals but tourists from the second or third worlds? We'd hardly expect them to dine in their Sunday best, particularly if they were hippies or bohemians traveling for the first world experience. Certainly after seeing our athletes resplendent in their best denim at Sunday's closing ceremony they and the rest of the world were left with little doubt as to the Canadian sense of aesthetic.
Musing to myself on the decline of my beloved western civilization, I ordered a Watermelon Pimm's Cup made with a watermelon soda mixed in house. When the bartender asked how we liked our drinks I replied that mine was too sweet, perhaps too much simple syrup in the watermelon soda I offered? I waited for a response, or even an acknowledgment, but got nothing more than a shrug as said bartender set about preparing another order.
The indignity was an outrage as I realized that service in this city had just reached a new low. I drew on all my inner strength to compose myself. I was about to ask Bartender Boy why bother with a quality check if he wasn't interested in the answer, but I mustered some self-restraint: what if he ratted me out to his manager as one of those cranky customers who thinks the world should stop spinning for them? What if the owner was unwilling to compromise morals for money, even willing to starve as a result? What if I'm deemed to be one of those women dressed not like women, or a walking Hawaiian Tropic ad courtesy of spending too much time outside this summer? An overly sweet cocktail was one thing, but the thought of being told to take my business to the Taco parking lot down the street was just too much to bear. I decided to cut my losses and we left while my glass was more than half full, tipping a paltry 9% before tax to make sure the bartender understood the dire consequences of such irresponsible actions.
As we exited my husband remarked that the window seats were still empty and then it came to me, that post I read about restaurateurs who only put "pretty" people in the window. "Gotcha!" I thought to myself smugly. Needless to say I have a call in to the Human Rights Commission to investigate this clearly discriminatory policy, and while I'm at it I plan to bring up the fact that Village clearly has no interest in catering to children or babies: I saw no kids menu, no high chairs, no crayons and while I didn't check, I'm willing to bet that there were no diaper changing stations in the restrooms. First Taylors now Village: let it be known that these injustices in our fair city must stop.
After calling the Human Rights Commission I'll be convening a meeting with the owners at Village along with my MP and city councillor, whereby I plan to demand the written resignations of the bartender and server I dealt with last night, along with one of the dishwashers, just for good measure. Rest assured I'll keep the forum posted on progress as it's made.
(BTW FF, if you think I'm in any way overreacting to last night's incident, please feel free to moderate my comments or simply delete this thread altogether... )