My husband and I are finally on a long anticipated week's vacation. We love going to Rehoboth Beach, Del. year-round and have gotten to know many of the shop and restaurant owners on a personal basis. Many have been struggling to stay afloat during the economic downturn. Summer is make or break it time for these small businesses and will determine if we see them continue into next season. Most have been bending over backwards to entice and reward loyal customers. However, the restaurant rudeness we experienced during the previous economic upticks has reared it's ugly head and I am unsure if I should view it like the first robin signaling the coming of spring or just stay pissed off!
We were so happy that we got to spend a weekend with my sister, brother-in-law their two children, and my parents. As I am approaching 52, moments like these are really cherished. We decided to celebrate with a dinner at the Cultured Pearl for sushi and saki. We have dined there many times and anticipated a lovely evening.
Things started off ok, with just a minor drink snafu, which we shrugged off. The waitress tried her best, and visited us often. We did not order 8 separate entrees but shared several appetizers and sushi rolls, with only 2 heated entrees ordered. The appetizers finally arrived. We ate, drank, talked, and waited. And waited. And waited.
The waitress visited us with offers of free soup, edamame, excuses. People around us were getting served including a large party that sat down 40 min. AFTER us.
THREE HOURS AFTER BEING SEATED we finally were served. By this time no one was hungry, everyone was annoyed, and after getting a bill for $300.00 we were pissed. As we left we stopped into the jewelry shop we love & spoke to the owner. She told us that the owner of the Cultured Pearl was on duty at the front desk and we should say something, because it wasn't right and if it was her business she would want to know and try to fix it for loyal customers.
My husband went to say something. He is very laid back (unlike me who was about to go off so I did not approach her). He came back fuming. Basically the woman told him to take a flying leap off a short pier. He explained what happened, how we are year round supporters of the business, and that he thought she would want to know what happened.
Basically the woman said they think this is normal, and we have nothing to complain about. When he looked flabbergasted she said that they plan for 3 hours for a large party. My husband said that others were served before us that were seated after, they were large parties as well, we did not order many entrees but shared food, and the waitress kept apologizing so how could that be? She wanted to know which waitress (I feel that she was gonna get yelled at for telling us the truth!) and my husband said she was not the problem, the kitchen was. She shrugged and got the male host to agree that nothing was out of the ordinary. When my husband said we would not be back, she said fine that they had plenty of customers and didn't need us. I must stress that my husband was not rude, loud, or obnoxious. He leaves all of that to me!
So I ask my fellow Daily Kos community. Does this bode well for the economy or was she just a moron?