Two Cranes Bistro & Brew — Restaurant in Albuquerque

Oh great, my server gloated about a $1000+ tip. I made a dour yet reasonable comment that, "but you never know if these people that tip like that ever want something more later" as in they would want more attention or special treatment at the restaurant, and sometimes it's just men's way of hitting on people. She brushed me off and said, "it was because of (her) pretty face". Ugh...that was pretty narcissistic, but I'm honestly not wrong either. I apologized for being rude, though, and explained, I did have an experience online at Twitch where I was low-key harassed by a guy trying to give me donated tips, and he was creepy and I had to ban him. She seemed to understand, but she didn't seem sympathetic. Like she didn't seem to soften and include me in her conversations equally with the other customers. Not that the server had to, but it's like she didn't really get over it, and I got bad vibes. So that sucked for me too.

But then she couldn't get my simple order right either. You get a $1000+ tip, but then you over and miss-charge me for the most common $5 draft beer on the menu? But she was the bartender. And she was rather stiff and cold and like whatever to me about it. She didn't apologize empathetically.

Then she tagged on a "culinary fee"...why didn't she tell me? I'm new. She also didn't get back to me on if the enchilada sauce was gluten free. "Like I can have a little bit of gluten, but I have to limit it." But she didn't seem to care. I had to ask twice for my first receipt that she had to void and that my card will still get charged for before falling off later with my bank. The second with the stupid "culinary fee"..I don't even know yet. Then I told her again, I was "sorry for the misunderstanding"....(but was it, though now, when I look back? Or is it just like an issue with people-archetypes and relativity?)...I went on to say, "and that this was kind of awkward and frustrating for me, and that I wouldn't be tipping, but that I might consider coming back." She said, "well I didn't think you would because of the way you were." Oh please...if she just had some empathy and humility and was watching what she was doing, then this would not have happened. It really didn't have to be so bad. I told her again that I was sorry for the mis-understanding, but I just didn't have a good experience. She then sarcastically made fun of me with the most empty non-goodbye wave and smile I've ever seen in a while. As a female customer, on the other side and perspective to things, this really felt hurtful to me, and I felt demeaned even though I was just trying to be somewhat social. This server was arrogant, and kind of mean to me, and hurt...

I really do not like writing reviews on poor customer service, however I have been to this neat little spot about 5 times after today and today was just awful. Our first server was completely overwhelmed and he let it show. It was my bad for not calling ahead for a table of 9 adults and 2 kids, but the amount of overwhelm we saw for a restaurant that just really was not that busy on a Tuesday evening was unjust in my opinion. The first server stopped working with us without our knowledge and before we ordered our food. A second server came out and even declared the first server was in fact overwhelmed and she took our order. Mind you, we haven’t even complained at this point, just chatting away and waiting to order. We lost our second server at some point. Everyone needed a drink or water and I finally went inside to address the waitstaff. I asked for the manager and I was told they were not in. I asked who was running the restaurant and the server told us she was. I very calmly tried to let her know that I have been here several times before and love this place, which is why I brought my family and spoke highly of it. I let her know the service today was awful, we didn’t have drinks and we just seemed to keep getting forgotten about outside. Her response was, “did you make reservations ahead of time” and issues with being short staffed (which I know everywhere is understaffed right now but not everywhere do I get service this bad). I did not make a reservation because most places don’t take reservations nowadays. I tried giving feedback to her directly and she just seemed to get offended and the service just got worse, unfortunately. The reason for the review is she went ahead and charged a 20% gratuity to our bill, which it does not state anywhere they charge parties a gratuity. Do people deserve a tip? Absolutely! Did they earn a 20% tip. Absolutely not. I do hope the kitchen staff keeps tips as well because waitstaff didn’t do much this evening. I am one person who has brought about 14 people to this restaurant so far, and they have now lost my service because they couldn’t take feedback and I will no longer be recommending them either. UPDATE 9/29/22: The manager, Jacob and GM, Tori were both extremely helpful in their responsiveness and willingness to make sure we don’t have this experience again with their servers. The tip was returned and they even offered a gift card, which I respectfully declined because I was not looking for anything free. I will be back to support this small business and hope to be able to leave a better...

My husband and I walked in at 8pm, the restaurants stated closing is 9pm. There was one large table and three other small tables seated. We were told to sit wherever. There was three waitstaff serving tables. Our waiter came over and the first thing he said was do you know what you’d like to eat. I said not yet. He said, Well our kitchen is about to close, you are the last table we’re serving. Then he just stood there staring at me like I was supposed to just hurry up and pick something. I said ok, thanks and stared back at him until he finally left the table. He came back, we ordered, did not ask us for a drink order so I asked, can we order drinks? He says, yeah, you can. Gee thanks. Our food comes out and it’s fine, not awful but not awesome. The entire time we are eating two of the restaurant staff, one of whom is our waiter keeps looking at our table to see if we’re done eating. No one comes by and asks if we need anything, how our food is, nothing. Then at 8:40pm, another waitstaff comes over and picks up my husbands plate and then asks me if I’m done or still eating. I looked at my husband, whose plate was not empty and said, were you done with your food? I said no, I’m not done. The first waiter comes over, says nothing but places our ticket on the table. The waitstaff for a table nearby us goes to them and says, here’s your ticket but I’m not trying to rush you enjoy. I told my husband that I wished she waited on us instead. They continue to look over at our table as I eat the rest of my food. We left at 8:45pm and it is the first time I’ve ever left no tip for a server in my life. There was one other couple still finishing their meal as we walked out. We paid 52 dollars for two sandwiches and fries that were nothing to go back for, two decent mixed drinks, and for people to rudely make it clear that we’d inconvenienced them. We will not...