RSS
Twitter
Facebook
YouTubeWould you be offended if you made reservations for The Top Steakhouse, got there on time, and then were asked if you wanted to eat in the Lounge part of the restaurant? This happened this past weekend and I felt it to be a little offensive since there was plenty of seating in the dining room and the only people in the lounge were sitting at the bar. I did request we be sat in the dining room, but I kinda felt it started my experience off there on the wrong foot... Anyone else have something like this happen at a decent restaurant and it kinda made you disappointed about your experience?
Columbus Underground Messageboard » General Columbus Discussion » Q&A
Would you be offended....
[28 posts] [16 contributors]
Topic Rating:
(Total Ratings: )
Rate this topic:
Rate this topic:
-
drew
Login to Send PM
I've been seated near the restrooms in a nearly empty restaurant before, and just told them that it wasn't appropriate. At that point, they fell over themselves to try to give me whatever table I wanted.
It's a small thing, but I can see how it'd make a person a little annoyed and self-conscious. Assuming they were happy to seat you in the dining room after you requested it, I wouldn't worry about it too much (though it might color how to feel about returning somewhat.)
Posted 4 years ago # -
wildgoose77
Not at all creative.
Login to Send PM
I would not be offended. Surely it wasn't personal, rather it likely had something to do with making sure each server had a fair number of tables. Servers that get stuck in the lounge usually get the short end of the stick b/c nobody wants to sit there unless there's some sort of big game on TV.
It was good that you asked for what you wanted. But no need to get offended.
Posted 4 years ago # -
Brewmaster
Portland, OR
Login to Send PM
I was offended when we made reservations at Marcella's, showed up 5 minutes early, then waited for 30 minutes for a table. :?
Reminded me of the Seinfeld bit about reservations...anyone can take them...but the most important part is keeping them.
Posted 4 years ago # -
dKilla
Dublin
Login to Send PM
Brewmaster wrote I was offended when we made reservations at Marcella's, showed up 5 minutes early, then waited for 30 minutes for a table. :?
Reminded me of the Seinfeld bit about reservations...anyone can take them...but the most important part is keeping them.
HA!! I tried to make an impromptu visit to the same spot. I was offended when I called Marcella's from the parking lot on the side, was told that there would be a minimal wait and no need to make a reservation if I was coming in soon....I then walked from the car to the restaurant and was told by the hostess that it would be an hour wait unless I had a reservation. The Rossi got my $80 that night and I won't be back to Marcella's.
Posted 4 years ago # -
Roscoe
Login to Send PM
Please don't take offense, but in my experience, being asked if you'd like to sit in the lounge is a more friendly gesture than posting a dress-code or offering jackets to gentleman who forgot them. I've observed this to be the case more and more and applaud restaurants for making an effort to both include a broad range of diners, and to promote an environment they desire.
Of course, you could have been dressed to the nines and still been offered a seat outside the dining room for some reason.
Again, sorry if I caused any offense, I don't know you and am sure that you were probably dressed great.
Posted 4 years ago # -
ddavis
Westgate
Login to Send PM
Roscoe wrote Please don't take offense, but in my experience, being asked if you'd like to sit in the lounge is a more friendly gesture than posting a dress-code or offering jackets to gentleman who forgot them. I've observed this to be the case more and more and applaud restaurants for making an effort to both include a broad range of diners, and to promote an environment they desire.
Of course, you could have been dressed to the nines and still been offered a seat outside the dining room for some reason.
Again, sorry if I caused any offense, I don't know you and am sure that you were probably dressed great.
We were gussied up fairly well.
I had on some nice black Florsheims along with nice jeans, striped black button down and black blazer. Quite dashing, if I do say so myself.
:lol:
I didn't have any problems with the suggestion of sitting in the lounge but I guess the tvs might have been a bit distracting.
Overall, I thought the place was nice. Very old school retro feeling. The live singer and piano was also a nice touch. Felt like Vegas in the '70s or something. It was a bit expensive, but not out of line with other steak house pricing. I thought the food was excellent (I got French onion soup along with the Prime Rib Au Jous, baked potato and mushrooms). Looking forward to getting a free evening to go back some time.
Posted 4 years ago # -
Coremodels
Really close to Explorer's Club.
Login to Send PM
You know, after being to the Top many times, it could have even been an age thing...and not in an offensive way. In other words, you're much younger than they're typical customer, they may have thought you'd like the lounge, if you know what I mean.
Posted 4 years ago # -
Roland
Clintonville
Login to Send PM
Slightly off-topic...
Whenever I'm in a hurry or don't feel like waiting for a table, I'll always check out the bar area. Seems like you can always order food and get good service there.
I would be slightly miffed if I made a reservation for a special occasion at a top notch restaurant and they didnt have a table for me. I would not let it ruin my evening though. Even if it meant dining somewhere else that night. I like to improvise. :)
Posted 4 years ago # -
BetsyB
Westgate
Login to Send PM
No offense taken on the dress code thing, cause I thought about that first since I too had nice jeans on with a nice white house/black market shirt and sweater as well as ann taylor purse and shoes, but it seemed to me that I definitely was more dressed up than most in the dining room that night. (I had thought about wearing dressier pants before we left the house, but was assured by Dave that my outfit looked nice)
It could have been that age thing, since 27 isn't the age of a typical diner there, but I like to think restaurants know better than that in this day and age.
It didn't ruin my night by any means, but it certainly wasn't the way I pictured the meal starting off. I enjoyed their Lobster Bisque (priced a little too high at $8.95) and then had their petite Filet with a yummy baked potato.
Missing from the dessert menu was a nice creme brulee- my favorite dessert after having a great steak and potatoes.
other side note: their dirty martini was yummy and they have this great dish they put on the table right when you are seated of really good pickles, saurkraut, and olives that help cleanse the palette.
Posted 4 years ago # -
lisathewaitress
SoHud
Login to Send PM
BetsyB wrote No offense taken on the dress code thing, cause I thought about that first since I too had nice jeans on with a nice white house/black market shirt and sweater as well as ann taylor purse and shoes, but it seemed to me that I definitely was more dressed up than most in the dining room that night. (I had thought about wearing dressier pants before we left the house, but was assured by Dave that my outfit looked nice)
It could have been that age thing, since 27 isn't the age of a typical diner there, but I like to think restaurants know better than that in this day and age.
It didn't ruin my night by any means, but it certainly wasn't the way I pictured the meal starting off. I enjoyed their Lobster Bisque (priced a little too high at $8.95) and then had their petite Filet with a yummy baked potato.
Missing from the dessert menu was a nice creme brulee- my favorite dessert after having a great steak and potatoes.
other side note: their dirty martini was yummy and they have this great dish they put on the table right when you are seated of really good pickles, saurkraut, and olives that help cleanse the palette.
Maybe they wondered if you wanted to be close to the piano player or far away?
I would like to point out that whole lobster currently costs around $17 (so, probably around $12 wholesale) a pound, so I don't think $9 for lobster bisque is too high. It's probably a good sign that they are making it themselves. Most lobster bisque (such as the albeit good stuff from Lindey's) comes from a bag. It is very time-consuming and expensive to produce. Also, milk prices have about doubled in the past year. Just being devil's advocate!
And yes, their martinis are huge, delicious, and dangerous. Although, I was a little offended that the bartender didn't want to shake my gin martini. That whole nonsense about bruising gin is about the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard. If anything, shaking improves the flavor because it release phenolic compounds, (which is also why you swirl wine before tasting). Okay, not to get nerdy, but if I want my gin shaken, then freakin' shake it, I am paying you for that service. Rant over.
I still like the top. I heart prime rib about once or twice a year. and the old school caviar dishes they serve the shrimp cocktail in.
Posted 4 years ago # -
Coremodels
Really close to Explorer's Club.
Login to Send PM
BUTerrier wrote If I ever own a restaurant, club, bar, I will ban all those that wear sport coats with jeans.
and during that first and only month of operation, I'm sure you'll be the toast of the town LOL!
Posted 4 years ago # -
Coremodels
Really close to Explorer's Club.
Login to Send PM
BUTerrier wrote No, the clients would just be 60 year old men, the hair gel set would not like it anyway.
well, the beauty of that...start serving at 4, be home by 8 LOL!
Posted 4 years ago # -
BetsyB
Westgate
Login to Send PM
BUTerrier wrote If I ever own a restaurant, club, bar, I will ban all those that wear sport coats with jeans.
Hmmm...I would like to see what you would wear since your such a critic, especially considering most of the men (and almost all women) I know comment on how nice Dave dresses.
I think blazers worn with jeans are classic and show that someone put a little more thought and money into their clothes than the standard button down and jeans.
Posted 4 years ago # -
Coremodels
Really close to Explorer's Club.
Login to Send PM
Paul wrote
Can we just agree that pleated jeans with a t-shirt and sport coat is the ultimate look?
ABSOLUTELY!
Posted 4 years ago #
You must log in to post.
Launched in August 2010, TheMetropreneur.com is a local online resource devoted to small business development and entrepreneurship. Its aim is to tell the stories of Central Ohio's business community, foster regional economic development and assist entrepreneurs with its resource-heavy focus.