Thought I’d relay the bad experience at Bistro 301 I just had. A friend and I decided to have lunch there today (March 15). I arrived at 11:53 AM. The person (later identified as the owner) at the reception stand took my name and said the wait would be about twenty minutes. My companion arrived a few minutes later, and we waited two seats away from the reception stand. At 12:15, I walked up to the stand to check on the status of our table. The person (still the owner) said he called my name a few minutes earlier. He said after my name, he also called out a “Brian” that was seated next to me. There was no one seated next to me in that part of the waiting room, so that statement would be false. At around 12:20 we were taken to our table. Five minutes after that (~12:25), the waiter arrived and took our order (Chicken and Artichokes Pasta, and Chicken Prosciutto). The waiter then took the order for the two top next to us (chicken wraps, I believe). Ten minutes later (~12:35), the food for the table next to us was delivered. At around 12:45 our food had not arrived. I noticed our server was at the computer. He looked over at our table, and then his face changed to a concerned look. To me, that indicated he forgot to input our order. At about 12:50, I asked about our order. He said it was on its way. I explained the food for the table next to us arrived fifteen minutes ago. He said he would go check on the food. He punched at the computer for a few more seconds, and then went to an eight top to take their order; instead of checking on our food. At 12:55, I went out to the reception stand to talk to the manager (who then identified himself as the owner). I explained the situation. His reply was very nonchalant and not customer focused; lecturing me on the finer points of running a restaurant, including saying that it takes different amounts of time for different types of food. The example he used was a salad versus a well done burger (which obviously was not the problem in this situation, but he could care less). After his non-caring attitude I walked back to the table to discuss this with my companion. A few minutes later, the owner walked back to talk to our server. The server then came over and said the food would be right out; never explaining the reason for the delay. We said we needed it to be packed up to go (as we are restricted by standard corporate 1 hour lunch), and to bring our check. Five minutes passed without the food or check being delivered, so we put money down for our one soda, and left. Considering how the owner responded the first time I talked to him, I didn’t bother saying anything as we left (~1:03).
I’m sure if anyone from Bistro 301 chimes in here, they will say they were extremely busy because of the lunch hour and the U of L game. That excuse simply doesn't fly. All the waiter had to do was admit he forgot to put the order in, and/or for the owner to exhibit a more customer focused attitude. Because of all this Bistro 301 is off my list for any future lunch or dinner.
