Best Restaurant for a Large Group on a Sat night?

[bilrus]

It almost felt like eGullet there for a few minutes - angry, edgy, a little humor.

[Mark Sommelier]

It almost felt like eGullet there for a few minutes - angry, edgy, a little humor.

I almost fell off the chair laughing when Tom told the first angry vegetarian to "order three desserts".

[morela]

Also, not to be prickly, but resis for 30 people around Christmas time should be made with a little more advance planning. Especially at prime time on Saturday when there are only two of those left.

I'll be curious to find out who ends up taking them, what their reservation policy is and how the service ends up being. Popular places have to be booked already...

Edited December 17, 2003 by meaghanfitzgerald (log)

[hjshorter]

Also, not to be prickly, but resis for 30 people around Christmas time should be made with a little more advance planning. Especially at prime time on Saturday when there are only two of those left.

Swankalicious started this thread October 24. Is two months not enough time?

[morela]

Also, not to be prickly, but resis for 30 people around Christmas time should be made with a little more advance planning.  Especially at prime time on Saturday when there are only two of those left.

Swankalicious started this thread October 24. Is two months not enough time?

sorry. didn't pay attention.

[vengroff]

It almost felt like eGullet there for a few minutes - angry, edgy, a little humor.

I almost fell off the chair laughing when Tom told the first angry vegetarian to "order three desserts".

I wonder if they offer mincemeat pie...

[bilrus]

In all fairness - we don't know that this was the same party.

[Malawry]

Aww, but it's so fun to speculate!

[Swankalicious]

Hi everyone,

Mystery solved--it was I, swankalicious, who received the less-than-stellar service at Zaytinya the other week.

In fairness, the food was terrific, as usual, and our waiter was incredibly sweet.

But people were put off by both the clueless reservationist and the host, who essentially took me aside to berate me ... for more than $500 and with two months of advance notice for a res, I expected more. Anyway, Tom's chat suggested I contact Jose, which I haven't had time to do b/c of the holidays. I will this week.

[morela]

Swankily said and done.

Everyone else, great detective work. I might have a bigger case for you gumshoes.

[JennyUptown]

Wait...$500 (or thereabouts) for a party of 30? How did you pull that off?

[Swankalicious]

It was more like 22 people, we didn't get drinks, people shared food ... and it was more than 500$, I am estimating.

[DonRocks]

[vengroff]

For a party of 22 at Zaytinya, I'd expect a tab north of $1K. Maybe $2K if people were thirsty. But then again, not everyone is.

[vengroff]

Tom's chat suggested I contact Jose, which I haven't had time to do b/c of the holidays. I will this week.

It was the executive chef Jose Andres who made the offer. You should definitely have a chat with him. His level of commitment to quality food and customer service is exceptional, as evidenced by his immediate response on Tom's chat, quoted below.

Washington DC: Hi!; Jose Andres...I'm so sorry to read about your experience at Zaytinya the other day.....Please if you don't mind to call Zaytinya,202 638 0800 and leave me a message with your phone number. I would love to chat with you about what happen.Believe me when I tell you that our approach is to serve and make sure you the Customer leaves the restaurant with a great impression. Sorry if that day we did not meet expectations...

Jose R. Andres

Tom Sietsema: Now THAT is customer service!

Thank you, Jose.