Whine Week

I can't lie guys.  I am feeling a little restaurant whiney this week.  I have a lot of complaints.  You read on my blog Tuesday that Artisanal lacked air conditioning, and we had to eat somewhere else.  Artisanal said "We are sorry.  The AC is broken."  Um, that is it?  You are sorry?  My mom made the point that they should have offered a discount, or a bottle of wine, to entice you to stay.  Perhaps they should have set up a slip and slide so that between courses, you could cool off.  Instead of making an effort to try to make the best of it, they accepted defeat and watched everyone walk away.  

On Wednesday, you read my sort of whine fest about going to restaurants where you feel slightly out of place, due to the age group.  Not a huge gripe.

Last night, major restaurant gripe fest.  So, I had a Blackboard Eats coupon for Boqueria.  You all know how much I love Blackboard Eats.  The Boqueria coupon expires Friday, so I really had to jump on it.  They don't take reservations.  That is so annoying!!!!  I kind of understand these restaurants that do not take reservations or have limited reservations.  For example, Five Napkin Burger takes a limited number of reservations because it is on a busy corner on 43rd and 9th, and so a lot of people want to walk-in.  And they want room for walk-ins.  I thought Boqueria was going to be this lovely Tapas place that would have been happy to make a reservation for you.  WRONG. 

I call the day before.  I said "Hello."  They said "Hello."  I said "I want to have dinner at your restaurant tomorrow, and I understand you don't take reservations.  If I come around 7:30, will I be able to get a table?"  They said "That is right when we start getting busy.  You will be able to walk-in."  I arrive at 7:30.  There are a million people in this restaurant.  It was complete BS that this restaurant "starts" to get busy at 7:30.  The people in this restaurant looked like they had been there for hours.  It was loud and crazy.  I asked "How long is the wait for a table for 3?"  "About 90 minutes."  I said "Yesterday I called and they said it would be easy to walk-in.  Clearly that was wrong."  She said "I would never guarantee someone a table."  Yea lady.  I didn't say you were the one who gave out misinformation.  But someone in your restaurant did, and you are the person seating people, so I am directing my anger at you right now, and please deal with it.  Geez.  I walked out in a huff.  Ridiculous. 

Next, we went to Basta Pasta.  40 minute wait.  Then we went to Steak Frites, which was really good.  I have one gripe about Steak Frites, and I do want to tell you more about the food there, but you will have to tune in tomorrow to learn more.

Have a delicious day!

NYC Menu Girl