I got in and saw the place, and I think it was pretty cool. I'm not a huge fan of the Marti gras style masks on the walls, either... but I also think the 2 story pizza oven was kind of neat. I think the whole layout and how everything flowed from one area into another was really well done.

 

I would definitely say that the 'diorama' style sculpture of Cleveland MORE than made up for anything that seemed a little bit tacky. When you see it, i think you'll agree. All the seats, bar stools, tables, countertops, and even the cocktail glasses had a VERY modern design. The place has a very comfy, casual feel about it. The prices were a little bit steep... but the convenience factor offsets that cost in my mind. If i was planning on partying down there, I'd probably pre-game it in my condo.

 

I'm interested to see what the others think!

^are you going tonight for one of the pre opening shin digs?

Yes, I RSVPed to go tonight, and I'll be there as long as work doesn't call me in. I should be okay.

 

You can't miss me. I'm the 6' 7" guy with a goatee, if you see me down there intoduce yourself, I'm not shy!

 

edit: My name is Jeff btw.

I'll be there tomorrow -- media day with free food and drink, y'know.

OK, but I won't be able to remember your handle. It's like 9 syllables! p.s I like to keep my presence here on the down low in certain circles

I'll be there tomorrow -- media day with free food and drink, y'know.

 

^ thanks goodness i rsvp'd tonight. I don't need any documentation of what may come. Kidding of course, sorry we'll miss you.

here I am reporting back already! You would think 3 people having $90.00 worth of drinks, well you would not hear from me until late Tuesday at best. But here I am.--So if you get my drift it is WAY over priced.

 

Anyhow, the space is less gaudy then when I first saw it. I do not care for the fake Mardi Grass and Italy stuff, but if you look beyond it  is a very unique place.  The 3- D Cleve scape installation is awesome.  What makes it interesting is it is a coffee house, bar, pizzeria, Jazz club and convenience store all in one. Problem: they are claiming to want neighborhood folk that will come in a few nights a week. If I am going to blow $12 a drink (I like the good stuff, and more than one, since I am walking), it ain't gonna happen, and I assure you my more yuppie neighbors are on the same page.  I will just go to Ponte Vechio on happy hour for 1/2 that where I have an established bartender or go to Velvet Tango Room  for a special occasion and get my socks knocked off (and know that the bartender knows martinis get olives).

 

All that said, the pizza was awesome - a wolfgang Puck trainer was there showing them the ropes in the wood fired oven. However it is 20% more than the venerable bar centro or Lolita. My thing is the price point needs to be between Ponte Vechio ($$$+) and McCarthys ($)..or else forget it.  So I am thrilled to have them, but if they want us to swing in regularly  for cocktails or a bite to eat adjustment is in order! Otherwise they will just extort me from time to time for feminine hygiene products or coffee creamer or something. Finally- this could be great meeting space for people-you could get coffee, cocktails, snacks or nothing and be fine. Free wireless too! My mind is open...just can't charge those big city prices.

^

here I am reporting back already! You would think 3 people having $90.00 worth of drinks, well you would not hear from me until late Tuesday at best. But here I am.--So if you get my drift it is WAY over priced.

 

So, I guess it felt 'just like New York'. ;)

was there anyone to share comments with.  They'll probably have a 3 to 6 week adjustment period.  Voice you opinion if you want the project to be successful AND they want it to be a neighborhood institution.

^oh I will. It does not have to be a shot and beer joint, but maybe something on par with bar centro (I know enough adoration)  or great lakes. Moderate. or have a good happy hour-my life blood in the big city. 

here I am reporting back already! You would think 3 people having $90.00 worth of drinks, well you would not hear from me until late Tuesday at best. But here I am.--So if you get my drift it is WAY over priced.

 

Anyhow, the space is less gaudy then when I first saw it. I do not care for the fake Mardi Grass and Italy stuff, but if you look beyond it  is a very unique place.  The 3- D Cleve scape installation is awesome.  What makes it interesting is it is a coffee house, bar, pizzeria, Jazz club and convenience store all in one. Problem: they are claiming to want neighborhood folk that will come in a few nights a week. If I am going to blow $12 a drink (I like the good stuff, and more than one, since I am walking), it ain't gonna happen, and I assure you my more yuppie neighbors are on the same page.  I will just go to Ponte Vechio on happy hour for 1/2 that where I have an established bartender or go to Velvet Tango Room  for a special occasion and get my socks knocked off (and know that the bartender knows martinis get olives).

 

All that said, the pizza was awesome - a wolfgang Puck trainer was there showing them the ropes in the wood fired oven. However it is 20% more than the venerable bar centro or Lolita. My thing is the price point needs to be between Ponte Vechio ($$$+) and McCarthys ($)..or else forget it.  So I am thrilled to have them, but if they want us to swing in regularly  for cocktails or a bite to eat adjustment is in order! Otherwise they will just extort me from time to time for feminine hygiene products or coffee creamer or something. Finally- this could be great meeting space for people-you could get coffee, cocktails, snacks or nothing and be fine. Free wireless too! My mind is open...just can't charge those big city prices.

 

I went on Saturday night and generally had the same impression...it's too expensive for them to rely on residents to support it.  I bought 1 round for 4 people - 2 of which just got draft beer - and it was $32.  That's not going to generate a "regular" type crowd which they seem to be going after. 

 

I thought the interior was great...the Italy/Mardis Gras stuff...it's not the first thing I noticed.  I think it blends in with the overall decor. I like the general open, modern lounge feel.  I RSVP'd for the event tonight so that will be my first go around with the food; from the looks of the menu, I was excited by it.

 

But you're right, I can't see myself going there for drinks - it's too expensive.  I can see having dinner there and hopefully the coffee shop portion (seems like they might have breakfast?) will be more reasonable. 

I thought the concept of 2020 Stonebridge Square was great -- having a coffee shop, business center, deli, restaurant, convenience store, martini bar and concierge (where you can take your dry cleaning, pet for pet sitting and car for detailing). I never did get to check out the prices since one of the benefits of working for the media is you get all sorts of free stuff! But the food prices didn't appear out of line.

 

Anyhoo, here's some pics of the 1871-built machine shop whose last function was the Cantina del Rio. Sorry for the picture quality of some of these (I can't hold a camera steady anymore)....

 

Custom-made artwork near the entrance...

 

Coffee shop part of the place with free wi-fi....

 

View from one of the second-floor office suites (space is still available)...

 

View of the area below the office suites, between the kitchen/deli area and the martini bar (the small convenience store is directly behind me in the first couple of shots)....

 

 

 

 

The pizza oven is in the mouth of this 26-foot-tall piece of artwork...

 

Co-owners and couple Eddie Hart and Twyla Garrett mug for my camera....

 

The latest addition to Stonebridge set against the downtown skyline...

 

Those interior shots look amazing!! Very welcoming feel overall.

 

Thanks KJP.

Great Pictures KJP!

 

Here's a link of the news story from the PD:

 

http://blog.cleveland.com/business/2008/02/an_ambitious_business_plan_for.html

Thanks for the link. I think the lead story of this development is what the PD saved for the very end of its article, about hiring economically disadvantaged people.

 

Also, I seem to recall the couple invested $2.5 million in this project, not $1.5 million as noted by the PD.

I agree the workforce development support  is awesome...The food is more reasonably priced than the drinks. Maybe booze has a sin tax on it or something!

Nice.  Gotta check it out.

Great article in the PD this morning.  I learned that the artist who did the Cleveland skyline piece (which I still haven't seen yet) is the former owner of my house!

I thought the concept of 2020 Stonebridge Square was great -- having a coffee shop, business center, deli, restaurant, convenience store, martini bar and concierge (where you can take your dry cleaning, pet for pet sitting and car for detailing). I never did get to check out the prices since one of the benefits of working for the media is you get all sorts of free stuff! But the food prices didn't appear out of line.

 

[Nice pics...]

 

 

I agree.  I mentioned I was there Saturday, but it was less formal...I basically just had a drink at the bar.  But after further inspection I thought conceptually it was even better than I initially thought.  The services for residents - dry cleaning, pet care, car wash/detailing, etc -  was a huge perk for me (especially as a dog owner).  I thought the appetizers they offered last night were great and the menus seemed reasonably priced for both lunch and dinner.  Coffee bar looked appealing as well.  I thought the interior was really nice, I really like the feel, especially with the office space above.  And I actually like the large hand made faces, I know many don't (my girlfriend didn't) but I think even if you don't like them, they are not an overpowering feature.

 

My only critique comes from drink prices being too much, which leads to other problems.  The place is designed as a lounge, despite it having a more upscale menu than just lounge/bar food.  So its not really positioned as a restaurant; I wonder how many people will order entrees as table seating is pretty limited (not envisioning many people eating anything that requires a utensil in the lounge seating).  Perhaps that large banquet table will be broken up into smaller ones which could solve that problem.

 

Still, it's core competency is the lounge with entertainment - jazz music, watching a game, open mic night, relaxing with a few drinks, etc - but the drink prices are a bit much to really succeed at that.  At it's current price point, I think it would do great as a restaurant and coffee bar but that's not what they are trying to be.  Interesting to see how it does and if it changes at all.

 

With that in mind, it leads to another thought - it lacks an identity.  The place is really 1 venue the way its designed, but has 3 various names.  It might help if the overall complex had a name that it went by and was the face of any marketing activity.  Like the Powerhouse is "one venue" but Howl at the Moon, Rock Bottom, The Improv, etc are all very distinct venues.  This place has stations that have more interaction with each other so I think it should have more of a common name as they are really selling the overall atmosphere/experience than simply having coffee, grabbing lunch, or having a drink.

 

But I am very impressed overall and feel it is in good hands so it will do well, whether in its current form or an altered one.

 

[EDIT:  After reading the PD article, it seems like it will be called Stonebridge Sqaure but you wouldn't know that from any of the materials they have been passing out over the past week or so, or even when they addressed the audience last night they referred to it with 3 seperate names.  But I think they should focus on that as its name and work from there, with everthing falling under that umbrella].

Great article in the PD this morning.  I learned that the artist who did the Cleveland skyline piece (which I still haven't seen yet) is the former owner of my house!

It is really really cool. They did a great job. I want to follow up that I was told they would have happy hour during the week. I will be back in soon to get the details. If they can pull a decent happy hour together as some of the competitors than I think they will be in great shape.

Great article in the PD this morning.  I learned that the artist who did the Cleveland skyline piece (which I still haven't seen yet) is the former owner of my house!

wow -- looks great. good idea to have multiple functions in there at this point in the stonebridge development. a few years from now, who knows if that will be needed? we'll see.

 

good pics crew -- i love the open leveled interior & the cleveland mural (much more dramatic than the 'ode' to cleveland graphics in the hyatt arcade restaurant it made me think of).

 

the pizza oven is stunning too, i like it and i usually don't go for that kind of thing. the oven seems like it's more off to the side and kind of "oh look at that wow" vs scary right up in your face, is that true?

 

great news, they did good with the old cantina. i'll have to stop in sometime instead of running straight for the harbor inn - lol! :clap:

 

 

The eyes on the oven should have been fire as well :D

Nice pics! I really wanna check this place out now, too!

 

I agree about the masks .. not crazy about them, but I really love the oven.

Did they ever resolve the parking space issues at Stonebridge i.e. widening the spots, planning to build outdoor garages, etc?

 

Not that I know of...

 

But in related parking issues in and around Stonebridge, I've gathered the new business owners have been in close contact with city officials as traffic/parking signs are now being appropriately posted and enforced.  It looks like you can no longer park on Elm between Riverbed and Washington, they are enforcing Elm as one-way on that same section (oddly, the only section where it is one way), you can only park on Washington on the side of the street where Stonebridge is, and they've installed other stop signs, no parking signs, etc, in places they previously weren't.  So I guess pay attention if you are driving down there to visit.

 

I think this is my favorite part about the complex opening - they've become a more powerful voice for residents than a single unit owner could be and have been able to help get some things done more timely (like the gym is scheduled to open soon, added destination for police rounds, more attention to city services, etc).

 

The follow up question becomes when are they going to start providing trolley service from East to West bank again (or from W6th to West Bank)?  Hopefully in the summer...

I think I'm going to drop in at 2020 Stonebridge Square on Saturday night. A friend of mine from Columbus is coming up for the weekend, and I want to show it off to him. I think we may stop in during the early evening (probably 7ish). Feel free to join us!

I think this is my favorite part about the complex opening - they've become a more powerful voice for residents than a single unit owner could be and have been able to help get some things done more timely (like the gym is scheduled to open soon, added destination for police rounds, more attention to city services, etc).

 

The follow up question becomes when are they going to start providing trolley service from East to West bank again (or from W6th to West Bank)?  Hopefully in the summer...

 

Agreed... and yes, trolley service is a good idea.

I think I'm going to drop in at 2020 Stonebridge Square on Saturday night. A friend of mine from Columbus is coming up for the weekend, and I want to show it off to him. I think we may stop in during the early evening (probably 7ish). Feel free to join us!

 

Great idea KJP!  It's always nice to have a night out in the cold winter months.  Have fun!!

"I think I'm going to drop in at 2020 Stonebridge Square on Saturday night. A friend of mine from Columbus is coming up for the weekend, and I want to show it off to him. I think we may stop in during the early evening (probably 7ish). Feel free to join us!"

 

I'm taking a buddy of mine downtown on Saturday (he's a phd student, almost never goes out) to check out this place.  I hear it's really expensive but I haven't really been out to the Flats since the summer, so it might be neat.  I'll be there 10:30ish (presuming they're open that late).  Then East 4th or maybe Lakewood!

Back on topic:

 

But why did the city decide to enact new parking restrictions? Anyone know? They don't appear to be traffic related at all.

 

 

I went to (or tried to) go  2020 last night. We went down for an affordable beer and snack at Rock Bottom and planned to meet friends/neighbors at 20/20 afterwards for a  quick cocktail as that is the only thing in our price range at our new neighborhood hangout.  A brutish bouncer stopped us from entering with no explanation. This was 7pm and grand opening night-open to the public. Granted we had already received 3 other invites this week for various parties/events and attended one.

Him (blocking our entry):  "what you doing here?"

us: "meeting our friends" 

him: "who ?"

Us: "uuuh, A, B and C"

Him: "You are going to have to wait". No reason why. slam door. LOCK it. Cold wind. warm people laughing inside, not crowded. WTF? A few other befuddled people were outside too. I guess they didn't mind our warm welcome ($) we gave them earlier this week.

 

wait? I don't think so. We called our friends who said they had slipped by the bouncer guy when he was questioning someone else, and they finished their drinks, paid with the requisite sticker shock and left to meet us to go to our super secret hideaway where a round of drinks for 5 cost $10-12.  If I go back, I will have a conversation with the management. I am really not sure what they are trying to do here, but it is leaving more and more people around here like, whaa? There is so much promise, so I hope they get it together. I do not think this is destination drink and dining like Lola, so they are going to have serious issues if they stay in that mindset.  I am hoping the coffee bar is reasonable, if I can make it past the bouncer. :roll:

I went to (or tried to) go  2020 last night. We went down for an affordable beer and snack at Rock Bottom and planned to meet friends/neighbors at 20/20 afterwards for a  quick cocktail as that is the only thing in our price range at our new neighborhood hangout.  A brutish bouncer stopped us from entering with no explanation. This was 7pm and grand opening night-open to the public. Granted we had already received 3 other invites this week for various parties/events and attended one.

Him (blocking our entry):  "what you doing here?"

us: "meeting our friends" 

him: "who ?"

Us: "uuuh, A, B and C"

Him: "You are going to have to wait". No reason why. slam door. LOCK it. Cold wind. warm people laughing inside, not crowded. WTF? A few other befuddled people were outside too. I guess they didn't mind our warm welcome ($) we gave them earlier this week.

 

wait? I don't think so. We called our friends who said they had slipped by the bouncer guy when he was questioning someone else, and they finished their drinks, paid with the requisite sticker shock and left to meet us to go to our super secret hideaway where a round of drinks for 5 cost $10-12.  If I go back, I will have a conversation with the management. I am really not sure what they are trying to do here, but it is leaving more and more people around here like, whaa? There is so much promise, so I hope they get it together. I do not think this is destination drink and dining like Lola, so they are going to have serious issues if they stay in that mindset.  I am hoping the coffee bar is reasonable, if I can make it past the bouncer. :roll:

 

HOLD UP.  THERE IS ALWAYS TWO SIDES TO EVERY STORY.

 

Someone like you, why didn't you ask to speak to management right then and let them know you're a resident of the building?  You could have stopped his behavior right then and what if others behind you - current neighbors, potential neighbors, visitors to the area - got a bad first impression.  You're already like "if I go back"?  Seems you've already made your mind up.

 

I guess they didn't mind our warm welcome ($) we gave them earlier this week.

Also, you're making "assumptions" about the management when you didn't address the issue you had.

 

I am really not sure what they are trying to do here, but it is leaving more and more people around here like, whaa?

What/who exactly is "more and more" people?  Again, has anyone spoken to the management/owners?

 

the "more and more people"are people that live in my building. It is the first week, so I am not going to burst the bubble or deflate the cloud nine they are on. The owner seems very nice. I am opening to approaching them if things don't go back to what was promised (affordable neighborhood gathering spot is what we have been told for a year +) But it is a business, so who really give a rat's tail about what I think? If they are successful with what they are doing then they should keep it that way. I am not one to demand to speak to management as to who I am etc...it is a public place and they should be treating everyone the same and with open arms.

^is this the sort of place that would normally have a bouncer?

the "more and more people"are people that live in my building. It is the first week, so I am not going to burst the bubble or deflate the cloud nine they are on. The owner seems very nice. I am opening to approaching them if things don't go back to what was promised (affordable neighborhood gathering spot is what we have been told for a year +) But it is a business, so who really give a rat's tail about what I think? If they are successful with what they are doing then they should keep it that way. I am not one to demand to speak to management as to who I am etc...it is a public place and they should be treating everyone the same and with open arms.

 

If they are in business and business people, what THE CUSTOMER thinks is important.  You and your neighbors have already, based on what you wrote here, have already formed an opionion.

 

All it takes is two neighbors, to tell two other neighbors, they had a bad experience and the reputation of this place is ruined before its can build a customer base within 150 feet of its door.

 

Trust me your opinion does matter.  Don't you want your neighborhood to be the best it can?

agree and disagree, I am sure everyone will try the place for themselves and decide if it is for them. I do not think my perceptions will keep people from walking a few hundred yards. It would be one thing if the food was horrible (which it is not, it was quite good), and the price point may work for some. Ponte Vecchio gets more people from out of the neighborhood (Older, wealthier people) than Stonebridge residents. That is their choice. Therefore if 2020 can maximize the most profits without  neighborhood people, well then they should. Business is business. I do promise to go in and say something though.

I do promise to go in and say something though.

 

Thats my gurl!

MTS is dead on here.

 

I always try to tell people: don't let one idiot employee at any establishment, esp a restaurant or club, to let it destroy my enjoyment of the place.  But even worse when someone is potentially influencing many others from not going -- and believe me, her voice, as a resident on UO (who is read by, I'm sure, exponentially more people than those of us who post) reaches a significant chunk of people.  Talking to management first is the best approach because, if they're smart, esp at a brand-new high profile place, where negative pub like this is THE LAST thing they want hopefully, that bouncer will soon be in the unemployment line if, in fact, he acted just as you say ...

 

... now, of course, if you go to management and the blow you off, ... well, that's another matter entirely.  But test them first.

 

I think a lot of you are being more diplomatic than usual and a little hard on peabody. Mind you, I'd LOVE to hear the follow-up and hey, maybe there was some sort of sincere miscommunication or whatever. Still, wtf reason could a place like THAT possibly need a BOUNCER at a PUBLIC GRAND OPENING? What part of PUBLIC.GRAND.OPENING are we missing here?

 

A doorman to greet people? Sure! Security to provide crowd control? Why not. But knowing peabody, I'm pretty sure she and her co-horts aren't the type who need to be thrown out of a joint, so let's just say this had better be good.  :x

I know! I have never been thrown out of anywhere or denied entry in my life (even if I should have been!) Maybe he was a doorman/security, but he was acting as a bouncer. the Mr. Pea talked to a neighbor today that said people were  pounding on the locked door last night, and they had the same response, "what gives" ? And truthfully I am even wary of a place that might need security, are you expecting trouble? I outgrew that kind of place more than a decade ago. I promise follow up as soon as I can convince the other 1/2 to go back. I worked in the biz years ago so I am little more forgiving usually (and sometimes more harsh)

I think a lot of you are being more diplomatic than usual and a little hard on peabody. Mind you, I'd LOVE to hear the follow-up and hey, maybe there was some sort of sincere miscommunication or whatever. Still, wtf reason could a place like THAT possibly need a BOUNCER at a PUBLIC GRAND OPENING? What part of PUBLIC.GRAND.OPENING are we missing here?

A doorman to greet people? Sure! Security to provide crowd control? Why not. But knowing peabody, I'm pretty sure she and her co-horts aren't the type who need to be thrown out of a joint, so let's just say this had better be good.  :x

 

Thats why I say something should be said.  It just doesn't add up.

 

That individual if "employed" by the owners is a front line employee.  His actions represent the business.  He has left a bad impression in a resident and someone who might recommend or frequently visit the location.  How many potential customers has he turned away not just that night but in the future.

 

Why start off bad.  Look how much discussion its created here.  Its a PR nightmare in the making.  People are going to talk and his behavior continues without management knowing or anyone having a direct conversation with the management speculation will start.  Bounce/Security shouldn't be needed in a "community" place it sends a sign that they might anticipate problems.  Not a good thing.

I know! I have never been thrown out of anywhere or denied entry in my life (even if I should have been!) Maybe he was a doorman/security, but he was acting as a bouncer. the Mr. Pea talked to a neighbor today that said people were  pounding on the locked door last night, and they had the same response, "what gives" ? And truthfully I am even wary of a place that might need security, are you expecting trouble? I outgrew that kind of place more than a decade ago. I promise follow up as soon as I can convince the other 1/2 to go back. I worked in the biz years ago so I am little more forgiving usually (and sometimes more harsh)

 

Wow, Peabody posted (while I was typing my previous response) exactly what I was thinking.  Nobody knows whats going on, correct?  So now neighbors are chatting.  Not a good start.

 

Today with the Internet/blogs/recommendation & review sites (ie urbanohio & yelp or restaurant and travel sites) you can't afford to bad front line employees.  I would say something even if you just call. As Pro Cleveland and neighborhood oriented as you are.  I'm not trying to crucify you or put you on the spot, just debating how the issue could play out.

I don't dare throw this to the vultures on cleveland. com. I do want them to succeed, and b/c that is a far flung audience, they may not bother going. You guys I know will go and see for yourselves b/c most of you live close. In fact you may be more inclined to go now!

I think a lot of you are being more diplomatic than usual and a little hard on peabody. Mind you, I'd LOVE to hear the follow-up and hey, maybe there was some sort of sincere miscommunication or whatever. Still, wtf reason could a place like THAT possibly need a BOUNCER at a PUBLIC GRAND OPENING? What part of PUBLIC.GRAND.OPENING are we missing here?

 

A doorman to greet people? Sure! Security to provide crowd control? Why not. But knowing peabody, I'm pretty sure she and her co-horts aren't the type who need to be thrown out of a joint, so let's just say this had better be good.  :x

 

No one’s trying to be hard on Peabody.  As I strongly suggested above (‘that bouncer will be on the unemployment line’ if what Peabody said is true), nobody should have to experience what Peabody allegedly did.  I say 'allegedly' not to cast doubt on Peabody, but to echo MyTwoSense: let’s hear both sides of the story.  I’d want to hear the other side even if a family member came to me with such a horror story… And I stand by what I say (and what MTS said): it would have been much preferable for Peabody to have, first, addressed the owner (esp since, as Peabody herself notes, the owner seems nice and, presumably, approachable and appalled by this) rather than publicly wet-blanketing this brand new place because of, potentially, some misunderstanding and/or one renegade, idiot employee.

 

Peobody’s seems like a responsible a person who, obviously, cares deeply about Cleveland’s development/progress. The new owners, Eddie Hart and Twyla Garrett, also seem like decent, responsible people as well: esp Ms. Garrett as a 37-year-old, multi-state employer (of 54) who has the means to both open this major establishment in a high-rent area and lives in the building.   {we should all be so enterprising}.  This new retail/commercial space, like most downtown, is important to Cleveland and we should cheer its success.  We want it to be responsible, though, but we all should, in turn, handle our gripes and problems with them, should they arise, equally responsibly.

 

Then, Peabody wrote this: “I am opening to approaching them if things don't go back to what was promised (affordable neighborhood gathering spot is what we have been told for a year +)”  I’m sensing peobody wants to complain about this one incident but, instead, wants to use it as a springboard to complain about the place’s alleged lack of affordability.  I’m troubled by that motive.  Let’s separate the issues and stick to one at a time.  The immediate conflict is objective in nature, the other (objection) is more subjective.

 

I’m at least glad in her 2nd response to MTS that she plans to speak to the owner.

 

my girlfriend and I went to this place last night around 6ish.  first impressions:  amazing interior decor/atmosphere.  the jazz band was great.  however, it is incredibly overpriced and the food did not leave me craving more.  the service was also not very good.  we had to wait a very long time for our drinks and then when they brought us our white pizza and mussels, they forgot plates and silverware.  when they did bring us plates, we had to dry tem off ourselves b/c we were told they just came out of the washer!

 

all told, our bill came to $52, including tip.  I had a S.A.C.K. martini $9.50 (southern comfort, amaretto, kalhua) my g/f had a now and later martini $8.50 (crown and apple pucker), a white pizza $14 that was pretty small, and an un-inspiring fried mussels appetizer $9.50.  For $52, I expect to either be full or drunk, neither of which i was.  long stry short, depsite the wonderful environment, i doubt i will return.

sounds like you got a bargain compared to what we did. I thought of popping in there tonight as we were walking by from another establishment, but am not quite in the mood to deal with this yet. I am about to let the rude bouncer incident go, but they need to know how people feel about the prices --or won't they when it is dead most nights? Sometimes I wonder once a place goes down the f-up path if they can return. I live in the nabe so may pop in from time to time no matter what as we pay every establishment a hello from time to time. Others may never return. As far as the poor service, I think they are trying to employ hard to employ folks. The thing about the hospitality industry is there is no room for this unless you are not interacting with customers too much until you get more experience. If you start as a busser or bar back or even in the kitchen that is a way to hone your work skills before you face the discerning customers and try to live off tips. The server we had was really sweet, but very green

.... but am not quite in the mood to deal with this yet. I am about to let the rude bouncer incident go, but they need to know how people feel about the prices --or won't they when it is dead most nights?

 

Ok fine, but how does any establishment know how customers feel without constructive criticism from patrons?  If they know now, they have the opportunity to adjust.  If people "say nothing" and guest don't return or previous guest badmouth the establishment to potential first time gues, they (the owners/management) have no idea as WHY guest have not returned.

 

The thing about the hospitality industry is there is no room for this unless you are not interacting with customers too much until you get more experience. If you start as a busser or bar back or even in the kitchen that is a way to hone your work skills before you face the discerning customers and try to live off tips. The server we had was really sweet, but very green

 

Again, this is very important information that should be shared.  Not to zero in on you, but everything you've said here, over the past few days is great....but it's time to let the owners/management know as well.

I wonder how people in the biz really feel. Is there anyone on OU that is a  bar/restaurant mangager or owner? How would you respond to face to face feed back? How can a customer best do this? I was only a working stiff when I was in the business, so I was not the one people were asking to speak too about such matters. I will poke around and see if they have an email.

 

edit add on: truthfully is it not human nature to be sensitive to criticism? In every business we make excuses for why people are unhappy. Maybe they should have as survey out on the tables. Very applebess-esque, but it could allow people to feel more comfortable about speaking their mind. Maybe I will suggest they do a  survey within the first weeks of opening? When you are able to read those in a room alone it is a lot easier than facing a customer and being put on the defensive

I would "think" that based on the recent publicity and that you are a resident speaking to them face to face would be great.  You build instant relationship.  It does not have to be confrontational, especially since NOTHING you've said here has been rude, terribly bad or something that would make the owners/management hate you.  They will probably thank you.

 

If you don't want to do that, just call. 

I will try and go in but it has only been 48 HOURS since the incident, so let me collect my tactful thoughts!