Visited March 2008
Pro: Superb meal
Con:Incredibly greedy management
I was in the process of enjoying one of the top 10 meals of my life at the Las Vegas Del Frisco’s the evening of 14 March 2008, and then endured having the entire experience destroyed by a greedy, uncaring and ignorant manager.
After finishing up a $150 single diner meal, I ordered an after-dinner drink to the tune of a further $20 and then went to the restroom. I returned to my table less than 5 minutes later to find it completely cleared and reset for a party of four. Upon surveying this unwelcome sight, I expressed my dissatisfaction to the attractive yet inexperienced child responsible for this disturbing turn of events. My waiter indicated to this waif that I had been only temporarily away from my table. I was then offered the insincere sop of a “comped” digestif at an overcrowded bar.
Clearly, being a solo diner meant I was perceived as a substandard citizen unworthy of the respect to which larger parties were entitled while patronizing a super! -premium establishment. I stated my flat refusal to accept such cavalier treatment, bade my nemesis good night and walked out.
Unsurprisingly, the “general manager” chased me down at the taxi stand, asked me to return and offered me, in, succession, a free drink, my table back and then a free meal. I stated to this “professional” that my server had been simply outstanding, my meal had been one of the best I had ever eaten but that I was incensed by the lack of respect I received as a single diner. I continued that I was more than willing to pay the tab for the excellent food and to insure that my server received the substantial tip he had earned.
However, if I was expected to return to my formerly happy state of mind, she was badly deluded. I was then told that if the 1-1/2 ton meal tab was my only concern, I wouldn’t be charged. This made it obvious that clearing the table and getting another party seated at it to generate additional cash flow was far more important than my dining experience; a perception I voiced.
At that stage, the “professional” manager argued with my definition of a premium dining experience and with my perception of events. Regarding these contentions, I can only observe that telling a customer his interpretation of events is unworthy of consideration is not a good method for winning friends and influencing people.
To him, I express my most sincere condolences. To Del Frisco’s, I say nothing further at all.
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