Etiquette Tuesday: One or Two Faces??
Two-faced. Ever been somewhere for dinner and then for drinks on a separate occasion and noticed the change in tone?? Before we start our post today, let us preface this by saying we are not a bartender but we are an expert at picking up disturbing body language. Today’s Etiquette Tuesday is directed at the restaurant with two personalities. Recently, we went to grab a drink at —— (*After much debate, we decided they would remain nameless…). We got there kind of early so it was plenty of bar stools available to sit and with the low numbers in clientele, the bartenders did not have to attend to a lot of patrons. We sat, ordered a drink and began to unwind for a split second. Split is exactly what it was.
Within the next thirty minutes, we were baffled by the reputation that the restaurant pushed. First, we were snappily asked to move our bum from the bar stools that would no longer be available unless we were prepared to pay the $500 for a “bottle popping” table. Then, the smiling bartender turned into a person that resembles the prison guard at Riker’s. Lastly, the sweepers and busboys were one step away from saying “Move B!$@H!” in their approach to get you to move as they tended to their duties for the night. Clearly, this is when the restaurant turned into a pure nightclub.
Now it is nice when a restaurant opens its doors up to guests to host a nice soiree or two. The problem ensues when the restaurant does not know how to transition the restaurant temperament into a fun, festive party. We understand. The crowd changes, alcohol makes some people show their less than best self, but do you have to stoop to this level?? As the face of the club?? Is this not the point of the big, burly bouncers at the front door?? We are not saying roll out the red carpet or pull out the golden spoons but a smile and a thank you (*excuse me, etc.) is not a lot to ask for especially where you boast that you are this swanky, upscale dining spot. Choose one side and stay there: Are you going to be Citronelle or Love (formerly known as Dream)???…
Category: Food.Fun.Stuff., restaurant reviews, Washington D.C.
About the Author (Author Profile)
Johnna French is a Harlem NY native with deep roots in Panama, Washington, DC and North Carolina. All four places have heavily influenced her life and the foods she loves today. After graduating Howard University School of Law and beginning her life as a young professional in the city she was led to start Johnna Knows Good Food in November 2007 to keep family, friends and colleagues updated on where to go and what to eat while dining in the nation’s capitol. French, who still practices law, leads a team of three writers to cover the ever expanding Washington, DC food scene. French has been featured in print and television, appearing in Washingtonian Magazine and is a regular contributor to various local TV affiliates including WUSA 9, FOX 5 DC and WJLA (ABC Affiliate) News Channel 8. During the 2016-2017 football season, Johnna aired on Comcast Sports Mid-Atlantic (CSN) show, Redskins Life, as the weekly tailgate host. Johnna is currently a regular contributor to the FOX Baltimore Weekend morning show.Subscribe
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