OK, for all you people who wanted to know if I filed a complaint at the Charlestown. No, I did not. If you want to know why, please read on...
I entered the place thinking my two friends may have already arrived. Being it was my first visit, I had no idea they had a 'all in your party must be present to be seated' policy. I spoke with an employee of the restaurant, and told him I was meeting some people who may have already arrived. He invited me to have a look, so I turned to scan the south side of the place and when I turned around to have a look at the north side of the restaurant, an older guy was practically standing on top of me, asking how many in my party, I started to tell him, and thought I could save us both some time by telling him I had already spoken to an employee, which I gestured towards. He snaps at me, "Yahhh, I know. I'M THE GUY. How many in your party?"
'Three', I tell him, 'but they may already be here...'.
'NO, they're not', he cuts me off,'HAVE a seat' and uses my personal space against me to back me into the waiting area, which I was ohhh, about 2 feet from.
Not, 'Please have a seat and wait, as all in your party must be present before we seat you'.
I didn't come in with an attitude, the employee I initially spoke to was friendly, and we spoke cordially again, twice, before I left.
While waiting for my friends, I heard him ask people if their entire party was present, if not he snapped at a few 'You'll be seated after everyone is here'.
I'm on board with the policy, it doesn't have to be so rudely delivered.
An older m&w couple came in, who answered 'two', when asked. The older guy motioned, and started walking. They started to follow, not quickly, not slowly and he snapped 'Come on!'. It wasn't delivered as a joke. While I waited for my friends, I stood where I wasn't in the way, and even opened the door for few people who came in and I thought could use the assist. The older guy told me twice to 'Have a seat' or 'sit down'. Was I glaring a bit, by this time - you bet.
While waiting, I again encountered the young employee who I first made contact with when coming into the restaurant. I asked him who is the older guy? Host? Owner? 'Owner' was the answer, and I commented "I don't need anymore of him", to which the employee smirked, and nodded his head in agreement.
It was in that moment, I decided I would not be returning to the Charlestown. No need to speak to someone in charge. The person in charge was speaking volumes with his actions. The lackluster, slightly overpriced breakfast was just the cherry on my Sunday (yes, Sunday, not Sundae).
I found the three members of the staff I encountered (other than the owner) hardworking, friendly, and personable.
Now, I wasn't going to waste my time voicing my opinion with the owner. I'd seen enough, and had formed my opinion.
For what's it's worth, my friend who waited with me while we waited for our other friend, was watching him, and agreed he was brusque with some of the customers, perhaps not all.
westseattleblog
West Seattle Blog
West Seattle Blog
