Baxter Station bad experience

My brother in law (Armand) had a bad experience at Baxter Station which he wanted me to share. He and my sister (Sue) went last weekend. They were meeting another couple (Fred and Helen) there. Armand and Sue arrived first and were seated at a table near the front. They were talking to each other and said that they didn't really like that table, because with the door opening, it was kind of cold. The hostess overheard them and told them that she could move them to a table in the back. They were very appreciative. Fred and Helen arrived and they were all seated at the table in the back. They had already placed their drink orders. Then another hostess came over and told them that there was a reservation on the table where they were sitting, and told them that they would have to move to another table. They were not pleased. The worst part was, the whole time they were there, no one else was seated at the table they had to vacate. They all thought it was very rude for them to have to be moved, especially when they are regular customers (at least once a month), and even more so when no one ever sat at the table they were moved from. They were very disappointed with this aspect of the service, although they were pleased with the food and their server.

Bad Experience? Not so much. It is always best while dinning out if there is something not just right or out of place, just ask to speak with someone about it.( next time move a little higher on the ladder than the hostess) I honestly find most of our locals to be rather accomodating. Armand and Sue obviously have good taste, you should invite them to the forum.

Yeah, it's weird. They are definite foodies, so you would think they'd be on HotBytes. I think they're just not too computer savvy. Armand + typing = bad!

Bad Experience? Not so much.

Bad? Yes, much. My dinner enjoyment would be, if not ruined, at least deflated at that point.

My sweetie and I went to a well regarded local establishment once. It was a nice day, it wasn't crowded. We asked to sit on the patio and were told that it was closed and were promptly seated at a window overlooking the patio. The very next couple to come in were immediately seated at the patio. We were never offered the opportunity to move.

Understand that the food was good, as usual, but not spectacular for the price level. And no, we didn't complain. Our MO is to try to maximize our enjoyment. Escalating complaints for poor service, typically increases our stress, thus reducing our enjoyment. So, if we are going to complain about something, the meal is already close to a total loss.

In this particular case, We ended up having a pleasant meal, but haven't felt motivated to go back. They are not black listed, it's just that all things being equal, we have chosen to go elsewhere.

Here's another case...
We went to another well regarded local restaurant. My sweetie ordered an entree, and was informed that it was not available that day, so she made another selection. Can you guess what happened later?

A pair of diners arrived as walk-ins, were seated right next to us. One of them ordered that very same entree that my wife wanted, and had it served to them. No problems! In this case we did complain. One of the owners came over. I can't remember the explanation. There was no apology. There was no attempt to mediate the problem in anyway.

The food was fine. The meal was otherwise pleasant. Still ruined. Perhaps not so strangely, this establishment had not yet returned to the head of our dining queue.

Both of these places are easily in the top 20 local fine dining establishments. Both of them have bad associations in my memory. Fair or unfair?

A misstep here or there is easily forgivable, and correctable. But if I am any indication, being treated in what appears to be an unfair manner galls to the bone.

I suppose some people get far more worked up over certain things while dining out than myself. But I'm not about to post the rant I just deleted; I'll just let it go.

Maybe the Joker said it best:

"Why so serious?"

I agree, Kyle. Certain things can be irritating, but mistakes are made. It's too bad the hostess made a mistake in the Baxter Station case, but is that really going to take the joy out of your day? Might have been smoothed over a bit better had a manager come over and apologized for the mistake, but since these folks are "regulars," then they will surely let their many other positive experiences outweigh this blip.

In the case of the entree not being available when you asked for it, but you saw it served to another customer, it's entirely possible that the other customer called to make sure it was available, and the kitchen was able to reserve one for them. They were out by the time you asked for it, save for the one that was reserved for the other party. That really does happen - some people call to make sure their favorite entree is available and ask the kitchen to hold one for them.

As far as the people sitting on the patio, perhaps they pitched a hissy fit, said it was their anniversary and they met out on that fateful patio, and the hostess/manager just let them have their way rather than make a huge deal out of it.

Sometimes there are legitimate reasons for things like that happening - and sometimes it's just a mistake by a hostess or server or cook. If your experience was otherwise good, why base your experience on how others are treated?

I In the case of the entree not being available when you asked for it, but you saw it served to another customer, it's entirely possible that the other customer called to make sure it was available, and the kitchen was able to reserve one for them. They were out by the time you asked for it, save for the one that was reserved for the other party. That really does happen - some people call to make sure their favorite entree is available and ask the kitchen to hold one for them.

Nope. Not what happened. We were told there were none available. And then we heard the late comers talk the waitress into bringing them one. There was no pre-order. Complete cold walk-ins.

The owner had an opportunity to provide an explanation. None was provided.

As far as the people sitting on the patio, perhaps they pitched a hissy fit, said it was their anniversary and they met out on that fateful patio, and the hostess/manager just let them have their way rather than make a huge deal out of it.

Nope. We saw them come in. No hissy fit. Just shown straight to the patio by the same hostess that seated us. Was it a mistake or a lie? They had to walk right by us to get to the patio. Did the host already forget what we were told 5 minutes previously?

Sometimes there are legitimate reasons for things like that happening - and sometimes it's just a mistake by a hostess or server or cook. If your experience was otherwise good, why base your experience on how others are treated?

Because of fairness?

That's kinda why I asked the question on whether my reaction was fair or unfair. Am I overreacting? We didn't cause a scene. We enjoyed our food. We didn't let it ruin our day. We just felt disrespected, like I'm thinking the folks in the OP felt.

I'm not bringing this up because there's been some lingering stewing or resentment. Truly, I haven't thought about the incidents until this tread made the association. It just seems a topic worthy of further discussion. I can put up with a lot of BS, if there's a "respect" vibe to the interaction. If I'm being belittled, managed, handled, dismissed, or lied to, then what consideration and respect do I owe an establishment?

It's just "The thrill is gone. The thrill has gone away." I'd consider going back. There is no vendetta. They are not blackballed, but there just always seems to be some other place peculating to the top of the list..

I know what you guys mean, if you don't get the cozy table in the corner, or by the fireplace, or where you can see the river. etc, etc. It does change things, but you know what I find kinda weird about myself? I go to the movies alot. Sometimes I get a great seat, view, everything is perfect. Other times I don't, some tall person in front of me whatever. But darned if I can remember which movies that I had the good seats and which ones I had the bad seats.

This has been told on this forum a hundred times..... speak up! If you are not satisfied, you MUST say something.

This has been told on this forum a hundred times..... speak up! If you are not satisfied, you MUST say something.

I did speak up in the one case, (to an owner!), and was not satisfied. At that point there was nothing left to be done.

In the other case, why speak up? We're not "get what's mine" kinda folks. We might have complained, got moved to the patio, and what? Somehow enjoyed our experience after the lack of consideration and respect, and then followed up with the stress of confrontation? We decided to cut our losses and enjoy things the best we could. The food was fine. The service was fine. The feeling of disrespect lingers. A confrontation would not have corrected the issue of not enjoying dinner.

We just want to enjoy dinner. We don't want to make sure we get what we're due. We don't want to help poor management train their staff. We don't want to argue with folks who obviously don't respect us. Confrontation is not enjoyable. So, we only do it when the opportunity of enjoyment has already been lost.

[Robin Garr]

Confrontation is not enjoyable. So, we only do it when the opportunity of enjoyment has already been lost.

Steve, with respect, I think what folks are trying to communicate here is that there's a broad range of gray between the extremes of black and white. Confrontation and silence aren't the only possibilities; conversation falls in between. A gracious, open approach to management, without any demands or expectations, might have yielded an explanation that could have helped you see that what happened was a #$%#-up, but perhaps nothing personally intended at all. For me, that kind of knowledge goes a long way toward improving my mood, without any need for a confrontation at all.

I hear what you're saying, and respect it, but in the spirit of these forum discussions as round-table conversations meant for all, I'd like to re-emphasize that a quiet conversation with management about something that makes you unhappy doesn't have to be a confrontation, and it doesn't necessarily make you appear to be a noisy complainer or that you have an unreasonable sense of entitlement at all.

Confrontation is not enjoyable. So, we only do it when the opportunity of enjoyment has already been lost.

Steve, with respect, I think what folks are trying to communicate here is that there's a broad range of gray between the extremes of black and white. Confrontation and silence aren't the only possibilities; conversation falls in between. A gracious, open approach to management, without any demands or expectations, might have yielded an explanation that could have helped you see that what happened was a #$%#-up, but perhaps nothing personally intended at all. For me, that kind of knowledge goes a long way toward improving my mood, without any need for a confrontation at all.

I hear what you're saying, and respect it, but in the spirit of these forum discussions as round-table conversations meant for all, I'd like to re-emphasize that a quiet conversation with management about something that makes you unhappy doesn't have to be a confrontation, and it doesn't necessarily make you appear to be a noisy complainer or that you have an unreasonable sense of entitlement at all.

I agree that there's a spectrum of ways to deal with management. .I was hoping to stimulate a conversation about situations when it is not worth complaining about, and how to tell the difference. Obviously I have failed in that goal. Perhaps I'm not explaining myself clearly.

[Robin Garr]

Obviously I have failed in that goal. Perhaps I'm not explaining myself clearly.

No, Steve, not at all. I think you've been clear, and you've expressed an opinion to which you have a complete right. I hope no one here is challenging you about that. I'm just saying - not challenging you, but talking to the round-table - that a middle way (or many middle ways) is available for those who want to take it. Please don't feel that we're piling up on you ... that's not my intention at all.

I was hoping to stimulate a conversation about situations when it is not worth complaining about, and how to tell the difference. Obviously I have failed in that goal. Perhaps I'm not explaining myself clearly.

Ok, I understand. I guess the point I had attempted to make was there are instances people "complain" to the management while others let it slide. And it has to not only to deal with the instance, but individual. Honestly Steve, I imagine everyone's opinion on their "breaking point" to complain are going to be individualistic and difficult to nail down across the board. One person may be while another is over the same experience.

I DO see your wanting to know , I THINK , what instances would all make us upset or question the management at the time.

Close. No. Ish? Not even?

Steve's response to my post was a bit knee-jerky, "You're wrong on all counts!!" and so to me, it seemed like he was just looking for validation that he was right in feeling wronged. Sure, what you described wasn't ideal, but sometimes mistakes are made. Looks like you have been wronged more than your share, and you aren't going to forget it.