Just Back from Solo trip: October 22-25

[larryz]

Yep, I really should have just left. But I was tired and it was prime dinner hour, and by that point I'd already been there for almost an hour. I didn't want to try and search out another place to eat on a very crowded Saturday night...

Things happen, and you roll with them...one or two you can excuse, but they crossed the line when they said you were being rude and should just eat your salad. I'd love to see a copy of the letter you sent.

 

[gmi3804]

--Ugly--

Carthay Circle - This was not only the worst experience of my trip, it was possibly one of the worst dining experiences I’ve ever had as a single person. I was seated at a four top which was not only awkward, it meant the waitress was getting a smaller tip, since there were parties of four waiting.

After I ordered a drink and a salad, I was left alone with no drink, water, or bread for over half an hour; finally had to track down a waitress for water. Not sure what was going on, I left for the bathroom, only to come back to find they had CLEARED MY TABLE. I’ve never had that happen anywhere. When I asked they said they "thought I left" (I'd ordered and was gone less than five minutes). No apology. My salad came but no utensils or napkins.

I complained to the manager who said I was being rude and I needed to eat my salad. Even my neighbors let out an audible sigh of anger, because I still didn’t have napkins or utensils (he fixed that). Then the waitress told me she was upset that I was upset. I should have just left, but I was hungry and tired and instead I burst into tears. Thankfully, they were nice after that (a teary guest is bad for business); I got free dessert and they even bought me some Minnie Ears as an apology. I accepted, and I promised them I would come back and give them another chance. But probably not as a single.

The food was okay (I had a pear salad, chicken ravioli and some kind of s'mores-like dessert), but probably not worth crying over.

I have to say, I've been to CCR twice (at dinner) and had lousy service both times. The servers, I've concluded, are fatally undertrained. They're sure sweet, in that condescending Disney CM kind of way, but almost completely inept. It's a shame, because the room is breathtaking, and the food is mostly spot-on (the best in the parks), but man, the service needs work. I blame management. I wouldn't not go back, but I'll be on my guard and try to control the situation better. What a waste to have such a wonderful place and have the dismal servers drop the ball. I'm sure there are some professional servers there, but I've never had the pleasure of being waited on by any of them.

For great food AND service, Napa Rose is everything CCR should be.

 

[Jennafoo]

Sorry you had that experience, too, George.

I have to say, I'm a pretty easy-going person. And I live in SF and eat in high-end restaurants all the time, as a solo as well as with others, so I don't have outsized expectations. But this was beyond the pale.

I didn't let it ruin my trip, because that's not who I am, but it sure easily could have. The more I think about going back, the more I think...uh....no.

 

[lovebug33]

So sorry you had that experience. We were thinking about carthay circle and I'm not going to do it now. It is too expensive for poor service.