Queen of Harts — Restaurant in Prince George

As an experienced bartender and server, I was excited to see this restaurant open in my community. Because they were constantly posting jobs on Indeed I applied for a job there on a regular basis. This complaint is not because I didn't get hired ; it's about what I went through trying to get a job here, and how unfairly I was treated. And by unfairly, I mean violations of employment standards and human rights laws. The fifth time I applied for work, Queen of Harts required Proserve as a requirement of employment. So I spent money and five hours taking this course online . I wasted money and five hours of my time before I realized that the course content was completely irrelevant to the position I was applying for. In fact, the Proserve course is offered by the Alberta Gaming and Li encing Commission. It is not required in BC, and in fact the qualifications I had - foodsafe and serving it right qualified me to work in BC in this position. I phoned the restaurant and spoke to their usual daytime waitress who had Dallas call me. He said he was one of the owners and if he had gone through what i had to try and get a job he would be "pissed right off". He blamed it on his wife, and said she did all the hiring. He mentioned that they had three restaurants and always had trouble finding staff. He promised he would call me back and explain why his restaurant in BC was expecting requirements from AB. He never called me back.

In closing, I have the right to apply for jobs that are posted in BC and I have the right to be considered if my qualifications meet the job. Although I followed up my resumes with in person visits, the waitress working dayshifts would not allow me to speak to management.

Please understand, this review is NOT ABOUT me not getting a job here. In fact. after this experience I would never consider being an employee or a customer at any of Dakota's three restaurants.

This review is about ethics, honesty and how people treat people looking for work. I have already found employment with a better company.

So dear public. when you read the contrived reviews and posts about this restaurant, give it a second thought. It's one thing to cook some decent food once in a while....but what really matters is how we as human beings treat each other on a day to day basis. You have lots of choices about where to spend your money. How would you feel if your son or daughter or sister had this experience??? All I wanted was a job and I was lied to and taken advantage of...

First time impressions are:

The food is the only saving grace. Service was sub par at best, and with such a small venue space, there should be no reason for it. Front of house MAKES the place memorable.

My families experience was we went at "lunch rush" or around 1PM. Head count at its peak while we were there was 25 people. 3 active servers on the floor, with what appears to each have "sections", splitting the room in thirds. That is 3 or 4 tables per server, in each section, catering to 8-10 people.

Coffee, is hands down the most ordered drink for adults in any restaurant or pub-style setting over lunch. There is zero excuse why anyone should have to wait 15 minutes, and then get up and proceed to find a server to request a refill. The coffee pot should be in hand as servers make their rounds.

Servers don't seem to table touch at all, by inquiring about how the food is, or if they can accommodate further. Cross service seems to be none existent, meaning servers seem oblivious and uninterested in helping one another, as my families table was walked past many, many times without the slightest notion of observing an empty coffee cup, empty pop glass, and missing side sauces for a quesadillas.

Zero issues with food, or the price, but if this is the best the front of house can muster - it NEEDS work.

One can only hope the night staff carries the...

2nd 24/09/14 Update One of the owners has reached out to me, and offered a satisfactory solution to aforementioned issues. I look forward to possibly patronizing this establishment if some changes are made. I will update my review as needed.

Updated 24/09/14 I am going to leave my original comments, but have downgraded stars from 5 across the board to 3 on food and 2 on service. I also will leave at 3 on atmosphere. They waitresses are always friendly albeit, not as helpful as they used to be. I have given them the three strikes you are out idealogy. Last night was strike three. I have noticed a recent drop in quality and increase in price over our last three take out orders. I have always contacted them immediately upon finding the multiple mistakes. The waitresses that answer are always apologetic, stating they will have the owners call me. I still have not received a call back regarding the first two take out orders being wrong. Last night, as I said was strike three. It's really too bad, in the beginning they were amazing, but in my opinion they have dropped the ball... I can not recommend them anymore at this point. In this time of economic uncertainty, paying $95 to feed three people take out, and the orders are messed up..for the third time... Your out!.

Excellent service with high quality food, awesome combo... our new...