Veil
Seattle, WA 98109
Phone: (206) 216-0600
11/12/2007 Posted by latenighteater
Our group of old friends had an excellent time despite inexplicably rude, really preposterously bad service -- things I had never experienced in a good restaurant (well, in any restaurant!). I called to say we were about 15 minutes late because of traffic around Mercer and Seattle Center and was told thanks, but we had to be out within two hours of our reservation because they had booked our table to another group. This, despite the $50 per person guarantee if we cancelled within 48 hours of the reservation, but no mention of a table time limit! Turns out most of our group arrived on time, but once seated, we were told by the hostess that we now had one and a half hours to eat. Without going into excruciating detail, the service was rushed start to finish. Food and drinks were placed at the wrong setting. The staff had to find out what the soup and risotto stock consisted of (ok most places, but this restaurant had its nose in the air about the food). Staff hovered constantly, removing every plate, utensil or glass a nanosecond after it appeared to have been used. No coffee or tea offered at the conclusion of the meal. We continued chatting in the bar after paying, and found it ironic that there was only one small group of four or five at the long table we had been using. Really, it all seemed foolishly irritating and silly. The group tip is 20%, higher than most restaurants for an automatic gratuity, but not objectionable to me, though not for such atrocious service. The food itself? Pretty good, some excellent (beet salad, risotto, abalone elf mushroom), some so-so (including the highly vaunted peanut butter ice cream). Overall, we felt so unwelcome! Somebody should tell the head chef that his excellent preparation is being undermined by arrogant staff.
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