Frustrating restaurant experiences - No recourse

[Travelair007]

More of a rant than anything else. In the span of a week, had a terrible experience at Maestros after spending $1,900 and then Javier’s for $1,000. Service and food at Maestros was so bad that the waiter decided not to return to our table (under cooked steaks, wrong orders, etc) but sent the manager who offered free ice cream. Icing on the cake… valet was extremely rude to us and completely ruined the night.

Transpose a few days later, terrible service, but decent food at Javier’s. We don’t even complain, we pay and walk out… same valet waiting for us. Sparks ignite after he makes a rude comment. Manager comes out but allows his valet to argue with us and doesn’t even interject. No free ice cream this time.

I can’t eat out… that’s my conclusion.

[PT_91]

Maybe the problem is that eating out in such a price range raises expectations that can hardly be met...I'm sure there are wonderful experiences for a 10th of what you paid here ;-)

[espanol]

Originally Posted by Travelair007

More of a rant than anything else. In the span of a week, had a terrible experience at Maestros after spending $1,900 and then Javier’s for $1,000. Service and food at Maestros was so bad that the waiter decided not to return to our table (under cooked steaks, wrong orders, etc) but sent the manager who offered free ice cream. Icing on the cake… valet was extremely rude to us and completely ruined the night.

Transpose a few days later, terrible service, but decent food at Javier’s. We don’t even complain, we pay and walk out… same valet waiting for us. Sparks ignite after he makes a rude comment. Manager comes out but allows his valet to argue with us and doesn’t even interject. No free ice cream this time.

I can’t eat out… that’s my conclusion.

$1,900 dinner, followed shortly by another $1,000 dinner? Sorry about your experience, but I simply cannot relate.

[Travelair007]

Originally Posted by PT_91

Maybe the problem is that eating out in such a price range raises expectations that can hardly be met...I'm sure there are wonderful experiences for a 10th of what you paid here ;-)

Standard of politeness should exist at any price point, that’s not a high bar to jump

Originally Posted by espanol

$1,900 dinner, followed shortly by another $1,000 dinner? Sorry about your experience, but I simply cannot relate.

You can relate to good food good experience, and lack of rudeness regardless of price points.

[espanol]

You can relate to good food good experience, and lack of rudeness regardless of price points.[/QUOTE]

For sure, good point. Perhaps my expectations would be higher than usual with such a price tag. Either way, sorry for the less-than-ideal experience.

[PT_91]

Originally Posted by Travelair007

Standard of politeness should exist at any price point, that’s not a high bar to jump

Agree 100%.

[Kowaco]

try Macdonalds', I got a really good meal there although the cashier was a little talkative

[DJH1977]

Condolences during this difficult time

[travisb]

Sorry to hear. Frustrating.
This is why I stick primarily to casual beach spots.
Otherwise I have some nicer go-tos that always have exceptional service.

[brandrea]

I’m always amazed to hear of experiences like this as restaurants rely on two things …. the food and the service.

Have you been to either before? Was this the first negative experience at either/both? How long have they been in business?

[binArt]

Originally Posted by Travelair007

More of a rant than anything else. In the span of a week, had a terrible experience at Maestros after spending $1,900 and then Javier’s for $1,000. Service and food at Maestros was so bad that the waiter decided not to return to our table (under cooked steaks, wrong orders, etc) but sent the manager who offered free ice cream. Icing on the cake… valet was extremely rude to us and completely ruined the night.

Transpose a few days later, terrible service, but decent food at Javier’s. We don’t even complain, we pay and walk out… same valet waiting for us. Sparks ignite after he makes a rude comment. Manager comes out but allows his valet to argue with us and doesn’t even interject. No free ice cream this time.

I can’t eat out… that’s my conclusion.

How many were in your party?

The post pandemic restaurant scene has been very erratic for me. Places my wife and I used to love now have terrible service. We rarely eat out now. The joy has left the experience.

FWIW, I never argue with a valet if I expect I will ever return to that establishment. The valet is always right, unless I can prove they damaged the car. Patience, a little jocularity, and a nice tip keeps the valets on my team.

[austinp]

Most restaurants just aren’t very good. No excuse for poor attitudes. Mistakes can happen in the kitchen but rudeness is an immediate cancel never to return.

What did the Valet say?


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[GoingPlaces]

Originally Posted by Travelair007

More of a rant than anything else. In the span of a week, had a terrible experience at Maestros after spending $1,900 and then Javier’s for $1,000. Service and food at Maestros was so bad that the waiter decided not to return to our table (under cooked steaks, wrong orders, etc) but sent the manager who offered free ice cream. Icing on the cake… valet was extremely rude to us and completely ruined the night.

Transpose a few days later, terrible service, but decent food at Javier’s. We don’t even complain, we pay and walk out… same valet waiting for us. Sparks ignite after he makes a rude comment. Manager comes out but allows his valet to argue with us and doesn’t even interject. No free ice cream this time.

I can’t eat out… that’s my conclusion.

Sadly this is trending in customer service across many industries, deteriorated. Particularly in restaurants, seems like there is no one around anymore to teach the art of service. Handling people's food should be special...and it's not anymore. No one cares. We keep our dining simple, a good steak house, pizzeria and cook at home.

OP, with your level spend, perhaps cater at home?

[TRS1]

How many people were in your party?

[330ci]

If you're spending $2,900 on 2 meals in a week, id just hire a private chef to cater to my palate, order in the freshest, rarest ingredients from around the world and have a truely immersive experience every time I ate.
Why pay for someone else's vision lol I feel like saying I had my own Maestro in the kitchen would be way better than eating there.

[superdog]

it is so easy to stand out via customer service. so freaking easy.

why?

because most everyone is bad at it.

I kid you not, I have built both of my businesses on over the top levels of customer service. the services otherwise were and are relatively typical.

no excuse for this. ever.

[Star Ferry]

Service is such a crapshoot, it’s not worth spending a lot eating at restaurants.

There is an epidemic of mental illness in this country, and a lot of people are angry about doing any work after Covid-era handouts, so it continues to be hard to hire anyone good. Restaurants are Exhibit A of these trends

Also agree with Seth. I provide prompt, good quality client service in my field (lawyer) and people seem stunned. Not because I’m doing anything magical but because so many other lawyers are crap at client service and treat their clients like nuisances.

[Travelair007]

Originally Posted by brandrea

I’m always amazed to hear of experiences like this as restaurants rely on two things …. the food and the service.

Have you been to either before? Was this the first negative experience at either/both? How long have they been in business?

Both reputable well established restaurants. I’ve been there a few times, always little issues but nothing like this.

Originally Posted by binArt

How many were in your party?

4 people

Originally Posted by austinp

What did the Valet say?

Something to the effect that I can’t grab my car because it will result in him doing paperwork if I hit a RR parked up front.

Originally Posted by GoingPlaces

OP, with your level spend, perhaps cater at home?

QUOTE=330ci;12395000]If you're spending $2,900 on 2 meals in a week, id just hire a private chef to cater to my palate, order in the freshest, rarest ingredients from around the world and have a truely immersive experience every time I ate.
Why pay for someone else's vision lol I feel like saying I had my own Maestro in the kitchen would be way better than eating there.[/QUOTE]

I don’t eat out very much, I don’t have that kind of time in my life. We’ve catered before, definitely enjoyable. I prefer to cook myself..!

Originally Posted by superdog

it is so easy to stand out via customer service. so freaking easy.

why?

because most everyone is bad at it.

I kid you not, I have built both of my businesses on over the top levels of customer service. the services otherwise were and are relatively typical.

no excuse for this. ever.

Well said…!

[Blansky]

I can relate.

Every time I go to expensive restaurants they tell me I can't have zee duck.

Only the chicken.

[Tools]

Originally Posted by espanol

$1,900 dinner, followed shortly by another $1,000 dinner? Sorry about your experience, but I simply cannot relate.

It's California, that's a supersize at Wendy's

[Chewbacca]

OP, how were you dressed and what car did you valet? I find when I’m in my Gap sweats and taking my 98 Camry (going through an audit) I get amazing service because they want me to leave fast.

But when I’m in my Balenciaga slides and sweats driving my pink camo wrapped Bentayga it sucks.

[JoeJoeBobo]

Restaurant service in Ca is trash.

[Travelair007]

Originally Posted by Blansky

I can relate.

Every time I go to expensive restaurants they tell me I can't have zee duck.

Only the chicken.

Hahaha you reminded me of that scene in Fawlty Towers, “if you don’t like duck you rather stuck…”

Originally Posted by Tools

It's California, that's a supersize at Wendy's

Ha! Very true!!

Originally Posted by Chewbacca

OP, how were you dressed and what car did you valet? I find when I’m in my Gap sweats and taking my 98 Camry (going through an audit) I get amazing service because they want me to leave fast.

But when I’m in my Balenciaga slides and sweats driving my pink camo wrapped Bentayga it sucks.

You’re right! I didn’t have my Ferrari quarter zip and my Porsche hat!!

[rod727]

Midwest here…my local bistro/pub has my beer ready when I walk through the door…makes me feel like Norm from cheers now theres an age tell….nothing fancy but I did have steak medallions and pomme frites recently and I think I dropped $50 with tip but Im a heathen :)

[Chewbacca]

Originally Posted by Travelair007

Hahaha you reminded me of that scene in Fawlty Towers, “if you don’t like duck you rather stuck…”



Ha! Very true!!



You’re right! I didn’t have my Ferrari quarter zip and my Porsche hat!!

You have yourself to blame for this injustice.

[swils8610]

I’ve always had great service at the Waffle House!


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[AzPaul]

Nothing worse than an impertinent valet.

[enjoythemusic]

Originally Posted by swils8610

I’ve always had great service at the Waffle House!

Me too, and they're good about refilling the coffee.

[Danny83]

Hmmm … I frequent both of those restaurants in the Crystal Cove shopping center. Im surprised

[Trailboss516]

I don't like dining out because I have to talk to strangers.