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Review content:
Zero stars. I was surprised at the end of my meal to be charged an 18% gratuity which the hostess explained is for Groupon only when I asked why, since we were only a party of two. Her response made it seem that they added this mandatory gratuity for those Groupon purchases only. I had previously visited this establishment for the first time over two weeks prior after learning about them on Groupon. I hadn't purchased the Groupon yet, but was in the neighborhood and decided to try it anyway. I was really pleased with my meal and purchased the deal thereafter and returned with my friend on this second occasion. The appetizer was so stale and hard to chew, as well as dry. They also didn't have the main course that we had come to try, stating that they had run out. The waiter explained that weekends are busy in the early afternoon, and sometimes because of catering parties this happens. My friend and I didn't complain about the stale appetizer (he doesn't like confrontations and I didn't want him to feel uncomfortable, so I decided that when I came back the next time, I would mention it. Needless to say, I won't be coming back), and we were happy with a secondary choice suggested to us. There were three staff and two tables being served, one of them mine. Apparently the two hostesses knew the men at the other table and remained engaged in conversation the rest of our visit there with them. Two other tables were seated during our course and the single waiter was the only person running around while the two ladies nonchalantly bantered with their friends. I have to mention, the first time I ate there, the same thing happened. The hostess and the waiter sat and talked in the corner. Both times, the conversations were loud enough for you to hear all the details. Anyway, the one waiter came to refill our glasses once since he was also taking care of the new orders of the other tables. I brought up the fact to him that he looked like he could use some help, hinting at the two ladies who didn't care that he was doing everything himself. He agreed, but suggested it was like that most of the time. In any regard, I wouldn't have bought this Groupon had I known I would be charged a mandatory 18%. I think Groupon is a great way to introduce people to services in and around their community for the chance to build an establishment's patron following. But bad service will not keep anyone coming back here. The food in my two visits seems hit and miss. You have to get there early on the weekends to get the fresh stuff. Forcing someone to pay an 18% gratuity when it's a miss with food quality while service is consistently bad is not good business. After protesting to the hostess about this mandatory 18% gratuity I had to leave and expressing my opinion about the evening's food and service, she finally obliged to remove the appetizer charge from our bill, though she tried to convince me that that the appetizer was supposed to be that way. I agree food here can be amazing, but it needs to be consistent and the staff needs major customer service training. Atmosphere can be nice if you didn't have to listen to the restaurant staff's personal lives and they paid more attention to you to earn that mandatory 18% tip they impose. BTW, Groupon details and fine print did not mention this 18% mandatory gratuity so I think this is something the restaurant does to make up for the discount being given. Also, one final note- I have been a waitress at a fine dining establishment before so I know first hand what customer service should be like and that tips are just that- tips. You have to work for it.
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