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Message |
    
John Erskine
Citizen
Username: Jerskine
Post Number: 1
Registered: 8-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 23, 2005 - 12:09 pm: |     |
My girlfriend and I had eaten at the Gaslight Brewery in S.O. a couple of times without incident. Passable food, albeit pricey, and palatable although watery brew. However, the last two times we had the misfortune of choosing to go there (both on mid-day Saturday, mind you), the following incidents occurred: on the first such occasion, after ordering the frozen ostrich burger, I received a call on my cell phone prior to our food arriving. My cell is always on vibrate, however, when I answered it (and I speak softly), the management decided to sic the waiter on me to enforce the "no cell phone" policy. Fine, I thought, although I am an attorney and was discussing client business, AND there was literally no one in the dining area besides us, I decided to let it go, as I too get annoyed at people engaging in mindless cell phone conversations in public places. I decided to simply keep my cell on vibrate and utilized my blackberry to handle business.
However, we went there two Saturdays ago, the 13th, I believe, sat in the bar area, ordered our food and expected a relaxing lunch. However, some people began playing shuffleboard or whatever that game is and smoking which bothers me so we picked up and moved to the dining area. Before our lunch arrived, the waiter was again dispatched, this time to inform me that the wearing of hats was not allowed in the dining area. I was wearing a Yankees hat. At first, I thought we were on candid camera. A dive bar/burger joint which doesn't allow patrons to wear hats on a Saturday afternoon but plays the yankee game on television, as well as the PGA Championship that weekend. Mind you, again, there was NOBODY in the dining area besides us and it was about 2 PM on a Saturday. I asked the waiter to bring the manager or whomever was in charge. Out comes what I would describe as a guy who enjoys drinking a beer or three who advises me that taking off of hats is "typical manners". As a 35 year old man, simply attempting to enjoy a burger and a beer at a local watering hole with his beautiful girlfriend without being accosted by some portly Heloise telling me what is and what is not "manners", I almost lost it. I advised them I would never come there again, that I was an attorney and that if they want the people of south orange to entertain their burger joint they should treat the customers better. The "weekend" manager, an older wolfman jack-looking guy, then smartly walks away muttering "typical lawyer" just loud enough for us to hear. Now, lawyer-bashing aside, the attitude on this Texas Chainsaw Massacre family which runs this joint amazes me. My girlfriend lost it, starts yelling at the fat guy, who then orders the waiter to "get them the hell out of here". To operate a purported business in a town like South Orange and treat people like crap astounds me. It truly is no wonder the place is endlessly empty. When I drop fifty bucks for a meal, I expect please and thank you from everyone up and down the chain. These freaks wouldn't know a thank you if their lives depended on it.
I would strongly urge anyone who has an ounce of dignity and self-respect to avoid this joint like the plague. Frankly, the fact that they so clearly care little about making a profit makes me wonder what type of money is funding that place.
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drewdix
Citizen
Username: Drewdix
Post Number: 940
Registered: 7-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 23, 2005 - 4:37 pm: | |
I don't get that they don't "get it". |
SoOrLady
Citizen
Username: Soorlady
Post Number: 2503
Registered: 9-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 23, 2005 - 7:02 pm: | |
Ok - I am no fan of the Gaslight - in fact, we never go there.. but.... lets review - you used your cell phone in an area where cell phoning is prohibited. Your "doing business" is neither here nor there. You were in error and called on it. Next, you were asked to remove you hat in the dining area and you not only chose to make a scene, but your "lady" ended up screaming at the manager. Your description of the players in this drama speaks more to your character than theirs. Dropping fifty bucks (as you so eloquently stated) does not entitle you to ignore the rules of the establishement no matter how insignificant you deem them.
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drewdix
Citizen
Username: Drewdix
Post Number: 941
Registered: 7-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 24, 2005 - 10:04 am: | |
SoOr,
It's about the "rules" and the proprieters' enforcement tactics being dumbfoundingly silly and inconsistent.
I have had similar experiences there.
You left out the "typical lawyer" comment. If that's the way it happened, there's no excuse.
But rather than make a scene, the correct response is just...not to go back. |
John Erskine
Citizen
Username: Jerskine
Post Number: 2
Registered: 8-2005
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 24, 2005 - 10:13 am: | |
SoOr Lady,
With respect, you must appreciate the fact that the place is a sports bar which happens to serve food. One expects rules such as no cell phone use (which I support) and non-hat wearing in an a more upscale establishment. (Its not like I go to church with a hat on). However, when a bar is clearly a sports bar, has several television sets showing sporting events, and has several sport bar games (darts, shuffleboard, etc.) one expects a casual atmosphere, including hat wearing (particularly yankee hat wearing and particularl on a Satursay afternoon) and, to a lesser extent, cell phone use. I certainly do not use my cell phone generally while dining, generally, its just that I was on call that particualr weekend. Furthermore, as the previous poster suggested, the enforcement of these rules by this manson family establishment is plain poor. There was no "excuse me sir, but we would request that you ...." or rationale for the rule. Just a snide comment by a fat creep as to what constitutes manners. It was just do this and if you don't like it, leave (which we did).
I may be demanding, service-wise, but service is a virtue lost upon this establishment, and I would think that even the most timid of souls would balk at the treatment we received...and i'm not timid.
Bottom line is, don't go there, ever. Hopefully they go the way of Giorgio's real soon (and I loved Giorgio's, personally).
And my girlfriend is a lady, I assure you. |
greenetree
Supporter
Username: Greenetree
Post Number: 5245
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, September 7, 2005 - 11:10 am: | |
John - I happen to agree. With your assessment of the Gaslight's treatment of customers (which is why we haven't been in years) and their assessment of your behavior.
My mother is very ill and I keep my cell phone with me 24/7. In public, it is on vibrate. I have gotten calls from doctors discussing life or death decisions to be made. I have never, ever failed to step outside or into another room if I was not alone. No matter what other seemingly inconsequential activities were going on around me.
I am curious about one thing - what exactly was the purpose of mentioning your profession? Do you toss that one around a lot? Frankly, it's a little embarrassing for any professional when others do that. |
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