12/15/08

Disappointment

by timesdriver

I have been to a number of jazz venues in the Seattle area and had heard good things about this place. However, it did not live up to the hype, reviews, and recommendations. The place was loud with people talking. I couldn't hear the music. It could have just been the night, but the people there seemed like "regulars". Service was slow too. The door man was rude as well. After a long wait for a drink, we decided to go elsewhere for food. I don't think I would give this place another chance.

• Pros: Jazz
• Cons: Service, wait staff, noise

07/31/08

Cover charge on the honor system, who does this?

by duckyfuzz9

Ok, I'm a huge jazz fan. This place was totally cool. Good service, can't comment on the food, but it looked alright. We were 4 people,each had a drink (2 of which alcoholic) and got out for $20. The band was a big band, the usual group for Sunday nights apparently. The cover was an honor system $5 each into the bands tip jar. HOW COOL. What jazz club has the cover on the honor system? The band was great, however, my only complaint is you shouldn't need a PA system for a big band in a ~1200 sq ft venue. Maybe a solo mic and for the bass... whatever.

As far as all these complaints go, if you want to see cramped, try a NYC club. This place was plenty spacious. I thought the atmosphere was nice and lay'd back. The focus of this place is the music as it should be. Great place!

• Pros: Music, Atmosphere
• Cons: Didn't need to mic the trumpet section

02/04/08

Great jazz, cramped tables, limited menu, dreadful service

by tobyone1

I was coming in from Portland, to meet a friend from Nashville, TN. Tula's was to be the pentacle of our evening. Of all Seattle's jazz clubs (probably 10 in all), I couldn't have picked one with a more limited menu or lackluster service.

After paying a reasonable cover of $15/person, a snooty Malcolm McDowell-looking host seated us at our table which was two inches from the next table. Our waitress, who failed to introduce herself, brought our menus and poured our water. After checking out the vast selection of 5 red wines, we choiced the chianti...

To my amazement the wine came 'pre-corked'. Yes. You read that correctly: pre-corked -- at a downtown seattle jazz club. Just to check, I called one of the thousands of Sheri restaurants the following evening to ask about their wine service policy. Their staff properly presents all wines, and corks at the table.

That was the least of it. When I asked how long ago the bottle was opened, the snooty waitress (probably the daughter of the host), responded: "Last week. I went down the street and around the corner."

After sipping our ok wine, the waitress came back within 5 minutes and asked abruptly: "Are you guys going to order food?!?", as if it wasn't ok with her if we didn't. We did. My friend and I who were looking forward to some non-fried seafood were vastly disappointed. I had a soupy alfredo pasta with imitation shrimp. My friend settled with a salad.

The jazz was excellent. Unfortunately my mind was somewhere else. Like the .99 cents in dimes and pennies I got in change from my $60.01bill.

I have always had a system for determining a tip. I start every waiter/waitress at a 20% then they can get more or less determining on their service. Upon entering Tula's I thought I was going to be out 25% in tip. I have never been more insulted or wrong. I certainly hope the waitress needed some change, because 99 cents is all I left her.

• Pros: Great jazz
• Cons: Cramped tables, limited menu, dreadful service