For the past few days, I've been contemplating my recent experience at your establishment, debating whether to share my feedback on Google reviews, especially considering your status as a new restaurant. However, your response to Nef's critique extinguished any hope I had for a constructive dialogue and learning opportunity.

Let's address the inaccuracies in your rebuttal. Firstly, your claim that the waiter was asked to slow down the service is misleading. The initial pace of service was rushed, prompting us to request a moment to settle in before proceeding with our orders. It's standard practice in many dining establishments to allow guests time to peruse the menu and enjoy their drinks before delving into appetizers and entrees. This wasn't about tardiness but about ensuring a comfortable dining experience.

The second paragraph of your response to Nef is also misleading and potentially damaging. We were not loud! Our request to lower the music was a desire to converse comfortably with our fellow diners. In response to the excessive volume, some of us took the initiative to relocate temporarily to quieter areas for conversation, demonstrating our consideration for both your establishment and other patrons. To insinuate that we were a loud crowd incapable of comporting ourselves in public is offensive and grossly misrepresents the situation. Your choice of music, while perhaps fitting for a club or lounge, was incongruent with the ambiance of your establishment.

Now, let’s address the core issue: your team's mishandling of the situation and the lack of accountability displayed. We waited for 1.5 hours for our entrees, which we ordered from an extremely limited menu. Everyone was served except for one person. When we brought this to the waiter's attention, the response was dismissive, claiming that she hadn’t placed an order. Instead of acknowledging the oversight and rectifying the situation, your team argued with us. There was no consideration given to the possibility that the order was simply forgotten. After escalating the issue to the manager, who then called the chef, the back-and-forth continued without resolution. A simple gesture of accountability, such as offering a complimentary drink for the wait, could have mitigated the frustration. However, your team chose a confrontational path, and the person was no longer interested in the order.

We are a small group, part of a larger community with over 30,000 members. We recently shared a picture of ourselves at your establishment supporting black-owned businesses and received significant engagement. Imagine if we were to share our experience and your response on Topic Tuesday. It's disheartening to witness how poorly this situation was handled. Based on our experience and the subsequent response, I cannot recommend this establishment.