There is a trick to having a restaurant with only a few tables. We've been to this restaurant before, Dec. 26th, 2013, and Dec. 6th, but not since it changed hands. It was The Masonry. We are frequent restaurant visitors!
It's small, and it is in a lovely old building. Brick walls, and such. The last time we were there, there was some broad on her cell phone doing business while we were trying to have our meal in peace and quiet. She had ear plugs and didn't have an awareness about people around her. She was disturbing. I took a selfie with her, after turning around and glaring at her several times.
The restaurant was for sale for a time, and then new owners took over. After our Tuesday volunteer day, hubby does Meals on Wheels in the morning, I provide respite for a nonagenarian in the afternoon, we often go out for dinner.As we entered, there were five tables for twosies, and 4 tables for fours. Now, the two tables we were were offered were in the middle of the room, very near the people sitting eating, right in the traffic path. Yet, here was a woman our age, and her mom, two at a table for four. We were told that they needed to keep the tables for four freed up, just in case they get a crowd in. This diminishes my importance as a customer. Don't we deserve to have some space?
We've been turned away from this restaurant, when they were full. We understand the small restaurant concept. We understand that they need to fill tables. People can learn to make reservations. What about us?
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| We were sat right beside the brick chimney. |
Hubby has a 30% hearing loss. I asked if we could sit beside the wall, at a table for 4, as it is hard to hear in the room with the brick walls echoing sound. They did slightly accommodate us, and move the table for 2 against the wall, and the table for 4 out into the middle of the room. It did help us hear one another.
Then, a young man entered. He was immediately set up at a table for four. He knew the people serving us. Chatting loudly across the room with them, where they were behind the bar. I was shocked. Then, a woman joined him. It was far too loud, for us. You know the kind of people who think everyone wants to know their business.Otherwise, the service was good, although there is a small room, where a group of 6 filled the space, and they needed some attention. The food was served fairly quickly, yet that is never an issue for us. I do appreciate being asked, after a few bites, if the food was good, which our server did.
The food was good, although hubby was limited to the beet salad (he cannot have dairy, yeast or eggs), there was nothing else he could eat. I had mussels. That said, we didn't feel important and we won't be back.
12 comments:
Hari OM
I used to drool over beetroot and goats cheese ... now every place that wants to up its game from mac'n'cheese 'vegetarian' options uses that and it is loosing its appeal! More and more places are becoming more 'bistro' than restaurant as such. More 'Golden Arches' than a-la-carte. Apparently folk want to eat out as if they were eating at home... YAM xx
Very often small town restaurants are also small, and I tend to feel as though I am sitting in someone's private dining room.
Space and comfort is most important to me. Food comes next .I'm not looking for specialties (have to watch my weight), so I can eat everywhere when out and about, provided the place is spacious, clean and friendly.
I hope the owner and staff get to read your review and take serious note.
With all of the above, I prefer to eat at home!!! Lots of people, too much noise , and no privacy, what a pity the owners do not think about their customers' preferences. Hope the food was good.
It sounds like the owner needs to get things sorted.
That's a small intimate restaurant.
Sounds like you could get a full time job as a restaurant reviewer. Most people are not aware of what should be in a restaurant.
I love little restaurant, well done Jenn.
Reminds me of a small restaurant I used to love in Whittier, California. Whittier is a town with lots of history, and the building had a brick wall much like the one in your picture. A group from work usually went here on Fridays for a brew and dinner before heading home after a long work week. - Margy
Dear Jenn, as the Rocky River Cafe owner, I care about every patron that comes through that door.
We are only just over 30 seats, and as you said , we asked you to take a table for two. We fill up so fast most days that we want to utilize the tables properly . If there was another couple sitting at a 4-top then they snuck in and sat down without being seated.
Because of the hearing issue, we also accommodated you by seating you by the wall.
I remember that woman (broad) FaceTiming someone and yes it was really annoying!! That’s never happened before and I didn’t think I should go and tell her to take it outside.
We take pride in trying to accommodate people’s dietary restrictions. I remember offering the many gluten free options we have, but then realized that no yeast means no breads at all.
No eggs? No dairy? No yeast? Our burger is fresh no fillers so could be had with a salad no bun. Fresh chicken breast, I believe we had a vegan curry that day too.
The restaurant business is very difficult, by using fresh ingredients and really caring about our customers is why we are successful.
Hopefully your readers can realize the seating issue was taken care of properly.
Sincerely
Keith and Brian
Dear Jenn,
I am the owner of Rocky River. and contrary to what you and some of the comments say....we truly do care about EVERY patron that walks through the door!
You are right when you say we don't have a lot of seating. We do fill quickly most days, so we have to try to utilize the space as best as we can, and yes, by seating couples at 2-top tables not 4-top tables. If you saw another couple seating at a table for 4, then they come in and sat down themselves without being seated by me or one of the servers.
As you also said, we even moved a table by the wall for you to sit in rather than sitting in the middle of the room. I'm really not sure as to why this was a problem, in my eyes, and the server actually moving tables for you, seems very accommodating to me.
Oh that lady face timing loudly at the restaurant!! So annoying I agree!!! Its never happened before, and really, I didn't know what to do about her. It's like have crazy loud rambunctious kids carrying on and annoying an entire restaurant. Can't really do anything about that.
We take dietary restrictions very, very seriously and try to accommodate as best as we can. I remember we offered you lots of gluten free options, then realized he actually could not have any yeast.
So options like our 1/2 lb fresh, never frozen burger, with no fillers is an option with Fresh cut Fries, or Salad, house made dressing. Or fresh grilled chicken breast, Avocado, tomatoes, mixed greens etc... can be options. That day we did have a vegan sweet potato curry on special.
I'm sorry you had such a bad experience that you felt you had to write about it. I really do not want anyone to feel this way. Yes of course it hurts our business, but also maybe you should try to be more understanding. Small space, very difficult business, many dietary restrictions. To all of the food critics that actually have never been in the business, try to look at food quality, and the number of people that work to put that food out.
Sincerely,
Keith and Brian
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