We got a horrible review yesterday from a guest who dined with us on Sunday night.

The review:

When making the reservation was not told it was outdoors…when we arrived, there were no heaters and we were not dressed for cold weather outside. They then told us no indoor tables, but we could sit at the bar…then told rudely where we could not sit and finally they sat us at the end of the bar next to the bathroom…all this after driving 45 minutes to get there…

So.

The real story.

No.

They weren’t verbally told they were outdoors. They made the reservation themselves. Online.

When you select the patio it says outside.

Just before you confirm the reservation there is a message that you are making an outside reservation.

I don’t know how to better let people know they are booking outside.

As for what happened after they arrived.

They were greeted. Were told that their reservation was outside and explained where to go to be seated.

The insist they didn’t reserve outside but as we’ve learned the computer doesn’t lie.

They ask to move inside. We are very busy it’s a holiday weekend.

I let them know that the only seats I have are at the bar. They accept.

I take them to the their seats. Seats 1 and 2 and yes they are next to the men’s room door.

They ask the bartender if they can move to the end of the bar where there a two separate groups of two chairs. I let him know that they can’t because we have reservations for those chairs.

We have lots and lots and lots of people who have standing reservations at the bar. The two two-tops at the bar were reserved for these customers. People who made their reservations weeks ago, requesting the specific chairs we are holding for them.

I really would have liked to seat them elsewhere. But it really was the only option, if they didn’t want to wait.

I also realize that they didn’t get to sit where they wanted but the atmosphere of the space is amazing, your food was amazing, the bartender was amazing. And yet you rated us at 50% or lower for everything.

And.

At least we didn’t turn you away. There were times this summer when I had to tell people eat outside/inside as directed by your reservation or I can’t help you.

It is discouraging when people become angry at us for a mistake that they made. I get it. Mistakes happen. But work with us. If you’d been willing to wait you could have sat at a table. But that wasn’t an option.

That’s all.