Belle's Lounge by Valentine Distilling Co. — Restaurant in Ferndale

I just wanted a relaxing time with my partner and a drink, but quickly things took a different turn. Got here and the bartender attentively guided us to a table near the bar, and then took the time to review the menu. The waiter came over and with a good attitude asked us if we were ready to order. I went for an Eastern Dalliance which has to be the most original and interesting drink they currently offer; it was good and would recommend it. My partner wanted to play it safe so he ordered a classic martini with blue cheese olives...simple. The waiter came back with a dirty martini with olives stuffed with some kind of pepper. Asked the waiter to change it for us and with no words spoken, nor acknowledgement he just took the dirty martini from us. He came back with another one, just to find out the vodka they used was a flavored one (lychee maybe?). We couldn't believe how a classic martini had been screwed up twice! To make things easy we just had it like that. But when the time came to pay the bill it took a long time for the waiter to pick up my card, even though we saw he noticed that we had placed the card on the table. It was obvious that he was just taking his sweet time to let us go. His demeanor went from very attentive to noticeably annoyed. And the only explanation we could give to his attitude was us asking to make our drink right. As a person that's worked in the service industry I know mistakes are sometimes made BOH and there's nothing wrong with acknowledging them, being apologetic to the customer, and trying to make their stay as pleasant as possible afterwards. If the screw up is so bad even giving a small discount works to make up for it. I am definitely not saying we should have been offered that, but the attitude of the server could have been better to assure a customer comes back for a second try. I hope someone from management sees this as a positive criticism to improve...

I have come here many times over the years and I have always had a decent time. I came here for my birthday early July, on a pretty quiet night with 7 friends. We absolutely loved the low key, comfortable atmosphere, but unfortunately the service was terrible. I understand in a craft bar, drink prep takes time. However on a weekend that was pretty quiet it took about 40 minutes for our drinks. Still not a huge deal, however a few were incorrect. When asking for tab, we were told they could not split checks if 6 or over. I've been here many times and have never been told this: still no big deal but I would have at least mentioned at the time of seating. To be fair we were told to have a seat anywhere and didn't have a specific host, but a head's up would've been appreciated. A few of our friends have never been to Valentine and did not come prepared for this, and rightfully so were shocked when told at the end. I asked the server if she could please split the tab as we were unaware and that some friends were unprepared and I was met with attitude. We all tip 20% or more, but we had a gratuity added automatically without being told as we were at the last restaurant we just left. I had a friend pay with $50 for a $16 cocktail and was not given change, so after 20 minutes she had to ask for it. I've always loved this place but have never had an experience like this. I invited a few people that have never been here before and was pretty embarrassed, by the service as well as the wait. Unfortunately the drinks were not even the quality they were it the past, and unfortunately I no longer want to return because of...

Drinks are typically good, but consistently horrible service the last 3 times I’ve been there—they are impressively slow. Got there at midnight—they weren’t that busy—maybe had 4 or 5 tables total on the patio—no one sitting at the tables inside and a cpl people sitting at the bar. We joined a table and didn’t get greeted. Sat for about 15-20 mins then decided to go into the bar to get drinks faster, got intercepted by a server (but not for our table—our server was just flirting with a guy at a different table—clearly no cares in the world or any sense of urgency). The other server took our order and we told her there was 1 more at our table waiting to get his order in. Another 20 or so mins passes by and we finally get our drinks. The next time our server came by (within minutes of getting our first round) was to ask us if we wanted anything for last call. Clearly our drinks were full being that we finally just got them. We get our bill and she refused to separate the checks—so she could add gratuity onto the tab. I literally had 1 drink added to a tab that was $200 since we joined friends’ that were already there drinking before we got there. Completely stupid policy to not accommodate clientele by separating checks according to seat #. It takes less than 2 mins—and it’s not hard if they had an ounce of common sense and she likely would’ve made more in tips if she didn’t add the gratuity. Makes sense why she slacked off in giving service. Best advice: go to the bar and pay for your...