Giving attitude does not help in the restaurant business
Christabelle's Quarter is now closed for lunch, only open for dinner.
There are a few Grove restaurants that need us to support them. They are hanging on by a thread. We ate at Anokha the other night and there were only two tables full.
Pisco's also needs business. Today there were only a couple of tables full for lunch.
One reason Christabelle's could be having problems is the snobby lady at the front. She looks at you with her nose up in the air and almost dares you to enter. She reminds me of the Absolutely Fabulous episode where Edina, who has gobs of money, is buying million dollar paintings at a gallery and the girl at the desk is giving her attitude.
She says something to her like, "Drop you attitude honey, you're only a shop girl." That's how I feel about the lady at Christabelle's Quarter. She's there to take reservations, yet she judges all the paying customers who actually are paying her salary.
There are a few Grove restaurants that need us to support them. They are hanging on by a thread. We ate at Anokha the other night and there were only two tables full.
Pisco's also needs business. Today there were only a couple of tables full for lunch.
One reason Christabelle's could be having problems is the snobby lady at the front. She looks at you with her nose up in the air and almost dares you to enter. She reminds me of the Absolutely Fabulous episode where Edina, who has gobs of money, is buying million dollar paintings at a gallery and the girl at the desk is giving her attitude.
She says something to her like, "Drop you attitude honey, you're only a shop girl." That's how I feel about the lady at Christabelle's Quarter. She's there to take reservations, yet she judges all the paying customers who actually are paying her salary.
posted by Tom Falco at 2:46 PM
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20 Comments:
I find myself increasingly befuddled by the mindset that fights development, on the one hand, and bemoans the lack of business, on the other.
There is plenty of business in the Grove at all the other restaurants, we don't need to break zoning laws and build mega-structures to accommodate the nasty attitude at certain restaurants. Your comment makes no sense.
What does that have to do with attitude?
I went to Christabelles when they first opened, and never returned because of that snotty hostess. I can't imagine why they've kept her- is she related to the owners?
And it's "you only work in a shop, you know. You can drop the attitude."
One perplexing example is Fedex Kinkos, next to the Shaq gym.
I went yesterday there, it's perfect. Spent an hour in the middle of the business morning, making copies, printing stuff from the Internet, preparing Fedex envelopes, buying suplies.
Excellent and courteous service, especially by Madelyn. Guess what? not ONE customer stepped in in that time, and every time I go there or walk by the place is always almost empty.
I talked to the guy there, they're having a "grand opening" party soon, with food and music.. It's about time.. That place needs marketing big time.
I can't believe that with so many businesses around and working people who may need to receive a fax, send an urgent fedex, buy some office supply, use a computer and print something, etc, etc, the place is close to shutting down, IMO.
They just need Advertising, great useful place.
anon, aside from large scale printing the average person can do mostly any service kinko's provides at their own home, inluding printing shipping labels and scheduling a pick-up.
If some restaurants in the Grove need our support, when are they going to reach out to us? It's a business; if they have a service I want, then I'll gladly pay for it. If they don't, I won't.
If I have to get attitude from a hostess, mediocre food in others, tables that are only inches away, etc., I probably will skip them.
If the food is overpriced for what it is, then, too, I will skip that place.
We don't owe anything to any business in the Grove. It is not a charity thing. For years, people from the Gables and Grove who dined at the Grove were mistreated.
When I see these restaurants reaching out to me with a business proposition I like (better food, better prices, better service) I'll go back.
Let's clone George and put a George in every doorway in the Grove.
Remember we have a UPS in the Grove too that picks up and delivers, packs, ships and faxes.
"anon, aside from large scale printing the average person can do mostly any service kinko's provides at their own home, inluding printing shipping labels and scheduling a pick-up."
If that's so explain this to me: Why do Kinko's and office Depot similar services THRIVE EVRYWHERE but in the Grove?
Guess nobody needs'em huh?
I repeat: Lack of advertisement. It's a service we all need.
kinkos doesn't create a social atmosphere - people mingling and coming into contact with one another; neither do RE offices, Banks, etc. For the Grove to grow into something more than a watering hole/nail salon parlor we need to make an effort and support bookstores, coffee shops, galleries and venues where we can meet! within the budget of the average grovite. I can see someone saying, let's hangout at Starbucks and people watch kinkoids coming in and out...not!
Completely agree about Christabelle's. It's a stunningly beautiful restaurant but the hostess is hurting them. I walked into their mostly empty establishment the other day to inquire about their brunch offering. The girl's attitude was very off-putting, she was brusque and definitely made be feel unwelcome.
I'm so impressed you can quote from "Absolutely Fabulous"!!!!
If you mean the older brunette about fifty years old, I had the same terrible experience with her etched into my memory for ever. It seems she is an indispensable fixture. I suggest, if she must work there then she should stays after hours and guard the business at night and then just stop paying the burglar alarm company.
I think she has dirty pictures of the owner.....
While I usually tend to disagree with swlip, I see his point here though not pertaining to development.
On one hand, you encourage people to support Grove businesses. On the other hand you single out Cristabelle's and give your readers a reason not to go there which doesnt help support that business at all.
Anohka and Piscos are in the situation they are in because they are in crappy locations and dont do anything to lure diners into their establishments. Cristabelles is a gorgeous restaurant but they charge too much for mediocre food and turn people off with the velvet rope. To change, the former need to come up with some big idea marketing and the latter needs to refine the menu and relaunch with a new face to draw people in.
-What's the hostess name?
-Can you get a pic of her and post it?
Cristabelles does not have great food and does not offer a great experience. Period. It is unfortunate because the building is so lovely. I attended some events on the third floor space that is totally underutilized. Also, the velvet rope has got to go completely. This is not South Beach and it is a turn-off.
I used to LOVE Anohka, but they really screwed up on several accounts. They moved from an area with heavy foot traffic to a rarely used side street. They completely changed the "vibe" by redoing the interior in a fashion that is more South Beach hip than Indian. And they reduced the formerly enormous menu to a handful of dishes.
My fiancee and I used to eat at the old location all time. We went to the new location a couple weeks ago, and, regretfully, it just wasn't the same.
I understand wanting to be progressive and make some upgrades. But, in reality, if it ain't broke... why fix it??
I really hope they manage to survive, as it is the only good Indian food in the area (in my opinion) and I think the owner is very nice.
But... I miss the old Anohka.
Love anohka, the owners and their good service. The food is delicious and well prepared but also way too spicy for me. Last time i asked for and ordered the least spicy dishes and still my mouth was on fire. Maybe other people feel the same way?
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