In all of our travels to date, this had to have been the oddest experience at a restaurant ever. Our day had started waiting for a FedEx package that was supposed to be delivered in the morning, but of course wasn't, so we were late getting on the road. By the time we got close to our destination in Where-God-Lost-His-Shoes New York, we were getting hungry, so I made with the Googles on the phone and found a promising eatery. They had an enticing menu with gluten-free and vegan options to suit us both, great reviews, and a funky vibe - our kind of place.
We pull up at about 4:30 to a shabby-chic storefront cafe in an only slightly sketchy neighborhood. Yay! It's open! We head in and are happy to see only one table occupied by two people who are already eating. Yay! No wait! No, wait....
A friendly looking woman comes out of the back with a smile, "Hello! Do you have a reservation?"
"Erm, no?" we say looking around at the empty place.
"I'm sorry, but we only seat by reservation on Saturdays, but I'll check with my husband to see if we can take you." Okaaaaayyyy....
She comes back, "He says no, but if you come back at 6 we could seat you then."
Like when the place clears out? Right. By then the amazing organic-pesto-falafal-hummus-microsprout-burger sounded a lot less appealing as the surreal Mad Hatter Teaparty NO ROOM moment finally got to us.
We start backing toward the door, "Yeah, that's OK, we don't want to impose, we'll try somewhere else." I probably should have just said thanks and let it go, but blurted out, "You know, this might be good information to put on your website."
"It is on our website, on the homepage."
"Really? I must have missed it."
Back in the car, I revisit the website and sure enough in tiny white print on a purple background is "Open Fri 11-3 & 4-8 and Sat 4-8 (Takeout & In-House by Reservation)"
Right above the notice that says "OUR RESERVATION SYSTEM ISN'T CURRENTLY WORKING"
No comments:
Post a Comment