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I joined a small group of friends at Tyfoon on Saturday to celebrate a birthday. Right there on the table was a notecard outlining the various specials and discounts available at Tyfoon, Black Olive and Shoku: X percent of this or that, etc. We glossed over some of the discount offers because they weren't valid on Saturdays or on dinner, but one caught our eye: A substantial discount on sushi and drinks. Even though "discount sushi" is a phrase that raises a red flag, we thought it would be a decent deal.
The literature plainly said that sushi and drinks were half off at Tyfoon on Saturdays, which influenced our ordering. It also influenced our surprise when the check arrived and we were charged full-price for sushi AND drinks. We checked with the server who said she didn't know anything about the special (keep in mind it was literally spelled out on the card) and we asked to speak to the manager.
Although the offer had an end date on the card, it didn't say anything about a start date so we assumed - well within reason, I thought, since it was on the table when we were seated - that the offer was current and valid.
The manager came over and helpfully explained that the offer didn't start until NEXT Saturday, even though there was nothing on the card to even suggest that, and no we wouldn't be getting a discount on our tab. I'm not sure what logic she used, but I got the feeling her argument was based on "Oh Snap That Wasn't Supposed To Be Announced Yet" rather than any coherent business practice. We told her we'd been baited and switched but she wouldn't relent on the offer.
I know Black Olive has been struggling to stay solvent and they've needed to revise both the prices and the items on the menu to keep people interested, but I'd hoped that Tyfoon would not suffer from management issues of its own.
Normally this is where I'd suggest a boycott, but judging by the sparse crowd in the restaurant on Saturday evening I think the call to boycott has already gotten out. This should've been a very busy night for a business in the Arena District, what with the CBJ home opener, Gallery Hop, an OSU away game AND some decent weather. I was worried about walking in and getting a table but plenty of seats were available (if you catch my drift).
Sorry, Tyfoon. Your food and drinks just aren't good enough to overcome the incomprehensible denial of your own promotion, or at least an ability to admit your error and make good on it. We won't be coming back and we'll avoid Black Olive and Shoku for good measure.
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