Kim F. Your review of Red Gravy \r
Mardi Gras day, 2013. My husband and I got up early to have breakfast here before the parades started to roll. We are LOCALS!!! The drive took at least 45 minutes, including parking. First shocker was the ""cash only"" sign when we entered. We asked where the nearest ATM was and were directed to the hotel across the way. I sent my husband over to get the cash and I would use this restaurant's restroom while he was gone(45 minute drive, had to GO!). Who I took as the owner, quickly stopped me as i was reaching to open the restroom door and told me that I couldn't use it until we ordered and PAID. I told him that we were locals and came here to eat, and that we weren't just there to use his restroom. When my husband came back, we ordered and I quickly utilized his facilities. I spoke to the man again when I came out about how horribly he speaks to his customers and I told him that I would spread the word about how poorly he runs his business. It's a shame because even though the food was excellent, the attitude the man gives his customers greatly outways any positive thought about this experience. We will never go back! I have never had such an awful experience, especially at a restaurant with such a high rating.\r
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Roseann R.'s comment on your review:\r
We, along with just about every other restaurant in New Orleans, have certain 'Mardi Gras Poicies' that have to be enforced to maintain a clean and safe environment for all the guests. There are signs regarding 'cash only' and 'no public bathrooms' posted in two places outside the restaurant, and again, inside the restaurant. I can certainly appreciate your need to use the restroom prior to dining, but we enforce the policy for everyone (with the exception of small children and seniors). It's the constant abuse that made the policy necessary in the first place. We're right off the parade route. You'd be surprised at just how many people suddenly 'don't see anything they want' after using my clean restrooms. I'm sorry you feel you were mistreated. I actually heard the conversation between you and the gentlemen. He wasn't rude, he just enforced our policy. You threatened him with a bad review. Here it is. I still stand behind my bathroom for paid customers only policy. It's the only way the staff can manage the line of people who simply want to use a clean bathroom during the parades. \r
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Kim F. \r
It's a shame you make excuses for this rude behavior. He was raising his voice to me. That is exactly why I said I would share my experience with others. Why speak to customers this way when they are about to spend money at your business? I understand your Mardi Gras policy very clearly. But, what I don't understand is why you say children and seniors get a free pass? Is it that middle aged people are discriminated against because of our age? We are more likely to use your potty and run? How about this... There are still decent people left in this world who just wouldn't do that! Why treat people a certain way just because YOU got burnt? A proper owner would re-evaluate their approach. There is a nicer way to enforce the policy. It was not a warm and inviting atmosphere from the moment we walked in. Nobody was at the door to explain that it was a shortened menu for the day. We have never been and didn't know the flow of the restaurant. We weren't sure if we seated ourselves or if we were supposed to wait to be seated. I had to walk to the back to a group of chatting coworkers to ask what to do. Perception is everything! Remember that :)\r
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