The Main on Main - Best Restaurant and Sports Bar on Main Street — Restaurant in Vancouver

The seating and decor/overall vibe probably could merit a more generous (two star-ish?) review, but the service and value most definitely earns a 1 star from me.

Let me preface this by saying that if you do not earn a livable wage, despite the recent increase to minimum wage, then seek employment elsewhere, or get a second job. It's not my responsibility to sustain your lifestyle beyond what I am already paying - listed menu prices.

I generally tip decently, not amazingly, but decently (if I'm being honest), and I always go to a place with every intention to love it.

BUT....

The coffee arrived lukewarm. The brioche bun was stale, the burger patty charred. And, the $14 calamari starter was teeny tiny- not at all a good value.

Even these things are forgivable. Every place has its bad nights.

BUT....

The server never once checked on how we were doing, my second attempt at a warm cup of coffee took 15 mins to arrive, it was just a so-so level of service.

And then.

The server had the sheer audacity to confront me when I (gasp) didn't leave a tip. Haha, imagine that! Both me and my friend were appalled. I explained my grievances and was told "well, I need to pay out for that, so thank you."

You're welcome. You earned it.

This was an entirely unacceptable experience, one that shocked even the solo diner sitting adjacent to us, who commented about how the staff had "seriously gone downhill." He then relayed a bad experience some friends of his had had a few weeks back at the Main.

When I called later to complain, the "manager" (sounding suspiciously like our server) actually defended the server confronting me, behind the guise of "well, if the service was bad, she would want to know why, for her own improvement."

Uh huh.

Times are hard for everyone right now. But the entitlement displayed at Main on Main will definitely not earn them a repeat visit from me, especially with overpriced food that was edible, but far from spectacular.

There are way too many better alternatives nearby, where I gladly tip the...

We go the Main off and on. The food is consistent. Not great - not bad. If you want a snack and a drink at an ok price then good. What sets me off - what drives me crazy is the service. We have had a few good servers there but more often than not bad, bad bad. Last week took the cake. We bellied up to the bar and got ourselves seated. I grabbed the menus from the little stand and then we waited. And we waited. And we waited. I would have left but it was raining and I didn

t want to walk in the rain. The bartender was wearing her coat which looked sloppy at best. She looked like she had been up all night the night before. When she finally approached us she said

Todays short fall. Been here many a times, and will return. However this is a note for todays front of house or host, and management in regards to service.

Came in just before 5pm to enjoy a glass of red, and it was fairly quite inside, so I sat myself at a high top for staff to see clearly. Host minutes later strolled by table didn’t say anything and dropped a glass of water off. Flipped a menu over from around the corner as well, no hello, no hi, no welcome, no eye contact. Again pretty quite atm in here. Caught him a couple minutes later as he walked by, and I asked if I could order a glass of red 6oz to be specific. He Looked somewhat baffled and said ok, and began to walk away. I then echoed what label of wine Id like as he didn’t bother to ask which, and he nods his head. Thank you I say. Hmm ok. I think.

So he walks over to the server station area and begins to chat with staff and what looks like discussing some sort of room plan. No passing of my order to the server which he was speaking to, nor the bar keep. Hmmm I think.

I wait a few more minutes and watch as he carry’s on to staff, no noticeable action on my simple ask. I attempt to make eye contact, no luck.

At this point I’m disappointed and confused as to the lack of this persons followup and action, given his responsibility as a guest service face to this establishment.

I stand up and leave the Main, still in search of my glass of Red, which I find a few doors down. Where I’m greeted with a welcome and a order of red wine that was promptly provided.

Simple things go far. Provide your guest as a host with simple attention. That’s...