Our family made reservations on New Year's eve for an early dinner at 4:45. We have dined at Peter Lugers before and knew what to expect and we were looking forward to having a great meal. The wait staff was very attentive and service was good. As we were completing our meal waiters were bringing out balloons to decorate the restaurant for the approaching new year. They placed helium balloons tied with string throughout the restuarant and our waiter and others gave the 6 children at our table each a balloon. The children tied their balloons to their chairs as we prepared to leave. The manager/maitre de Richie, intructed one of the waiters to cut the string on all the balloons near and around our table because he felt that the children would take them. Then we were told by the waiter that he would be taking back the balloons that the children were given. First of all we would never allow our children to take every single balloon that they got get their hands on. Furthermore they wouldn't even want the balloons; the waiter thought it would be nice to give them out. We asked to speak to Richie who could not understand why we wanted to question him on his lack of professionalism or customer service. He would not relent on his decision. Let's face it for a $500 meal that isn't worth nearly as much he couldn't find it in him to give 6 children a 10 cent latex balloon to take with them. Would it really have taken away from their decorations?? I was embarrassed for him. For this reason I would not go back or recommend anyone else to. There are so many great restaurants in the city where you can get a great steak for less.
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