D'Arcy McGee's

EDIT: Nov 21,2020 - Super impressed with this location. Highly recommend. Went back last week for dinner with the family. Front staff clearly explained Covid protocols including sanitizing the plastic menus between each guest, QR code menus are available, tables are physically spaced out , etc. As a courtesy, they provided and explained the take-out drink menu and dessert menu at the beginning.

I’d give them 6 stars if I could. This is an example of a business that responds quickly to customer feedback. All of our previous concerns were addressed. I feel safe eating here despite these crazy times.

EDIT: Oct 24, 2020 - Impressed with the communication effort from this location's general manager - very receptive to hearing feedback. Looking forward to going back here for inside dining when the province re-opens!

ORIGINAL: Their physical distancing protocols can seem more for show than safety. This location needs to rethink how they communicate during Covid-19.

We went here to support local Ottawa business and because of the Prismatica ad that we heard on the radio. This was just before Ottawa closed down indoor dining again. Maybe this location did a better job in the beginning of indoor dining during COVID-19 but this location could definitely do better when we went.

Greeter took down our contact information for contact tracing. Awesome. There’s a sign behind the front entrance that says “scan to view menu” but we were given paper menus and there was no mention of scanning by greeter or wait staff to view the menu. (That’s fine. Lots of places are now offering paper menus - but why advertise it as a safety measure you are taking if you’re not actually offering it?)

Love how this chain has created table closed signs that connect the physical distancing message with their Irish theme. The table closed sign says “this table is practicing physical distancing” and there’s a little bit of Irish trivia. Awesome.

The problem is, when the indoor dining room got busier, the greeter brought in another couple and took away the table closed sign so they could be seated. So in fact, that table wasn’t practicing physical distancing? All of the seating areas were 2m apart so the confusion is because those table placards aren’t actually “table closed” signs (like they are at other places). It looks odd if you’re opening up tables that were once closed for Covid when your place gets busier. If all of the spots are infact open for eating, why put out those signs at all?

Finally, when we were seated, we were given the paper menu and a drink menu. I tried to order a drink from the drink menu and then was told I couldn’t order it - in fact that drink menu was limited just for take out orders. Having a closer look, I realize now it says “drinks to go” but that wasn’t really made clear at all when we were seated. I can completely appreciate you have an exclusive contact to serve one brand of drink and under take-out laws, you’re . able to sell other brands. But that could be made more clear by the greeter.

I do appreciate that this chain has their nutrition information online. Thanks!

Dear owner / manager, I am active on Google reviews. I’m more than happy to come out and reconsider my review once the province allows indoor dining again. Good luck weathering the storm.

UPDATE 2020-10-15: I've filled out the short form at your link and I'm in your Zendesk system. Thanks for the link. Looking forward to hearing from you.