Bluegrass — Restaurant in Highland Park

The food was great, the dessert was great and the service great until this happened. On Saturday evening I had dinner with my fiance and her family of 2 more adults The waiter Chris Q was very nice and provided great service. So my fiance's sister wanted to give the waiter Chris Q a $25 tip from her own credit card. My bill was $135, I Bobby Glover asked the waiter Chris Q if he could deduct $25 tip from her credit card and he said yes. The waiter Chris Q brings back to me back my receipt for $135 and I Bobby Glover asked the waiter Chris Q if he could deduct $25 tip from my fiance's sister's credit card who was also having dinner with us to give him an $25 tip and he said yes and that he would have to redo the bill in order to get the $25 from my fiance's sister's credit card.

While the waiter Chris Q was at the cash register and from what I can see, looks like he was talking to his manager to assist him on processing the $25 tip from my fiance's sister's credit card. The waiter Chris Q comes back to our table and informs me that he had to process my bankcard twice in order to get order to get the $25 tip we wanted to give him, but there is going to be 2 pending transaction on my account. Now at this moment I was confused and I said huh? The waiter Chris Q asked if I would like for his manager to explain the reason for the 2 pending transaction of $135. The manager comes over and smiles and says hi and stated that there are going to be 2 pending transactions on my bankcard and I asked him why is that. The manager stated that the transactions is not actually authorized and it will stay pending for 2 days. While the manager Jim Lederer was explaining to me the authorizing and pending process. I Bobby Glover I received 3 bank (Alerts) from my bankcard on my cell phone. So I interrupted the manager Jim Lederer while he was he was explaining how the authorization and process. I Bobby Glover informed the manager Jim Lederer that they made 3 transactions on my bankcard $135, $135 and $110.92 in i just received on my cell phone. Then the manager Jim Lederer says oh! And says let me check something. So, he goes back to the cash register and looks at something and he has a look on his face like ( oops how am I going to explain this to them).

The manager Jim Ledger comes back to me and states the authorization and pending process again and ensured me the extra $270 transaction the waiter Chris Q and manager Jim Ledger processed on my bankcard will get back into my bank account in 2 days. They where unable reverse the transactions they made, so that's why processed 3 times.

I Bobby Glover informed the manager Jim Lederer that they should have closed/cancelled the transaction on the register first and process $1 credit on my bankcard and run the remaining $24 credit on my fiance's sister's credit card for the waiter's tip in which would have avoided duplicating multiple transactions on my bankcard. The manager Jim Ledger nodes his head and says that is true.

I explained to the manager Jim Lederer that its not the matter of when it was going back to my bank account. Its about the inconvenience of the matter. The manager Jim Lederer nodes his head in agreement and offers to give me his business card and I said yes I will take your business card.

And what i found odd, from all the restraunts managers and general managers I have met during my current career at the Marriott hotel downtown Chicago. Not once did the manager Jim Lederer apologize for the inconvenience, he just nodded his head to say (like let them vent their concerns and they will go away). This is the impression I received at that moment.

I know that no one is perfect in life. But, it is OK to admit that you made an mistake. Your customers will feel more valued than just a number for $$$$.

Have...

Well, we went there on the recommendation of friends of ours who raved about the food and service. The 4 of us met there and were seated. We did notice that inside the restaurant was not busy at all, but outside seemed a bit crowded. We sat inside.

The waiter asked us if we'd like drinks and we ordered them, but they took quite a long time to get. We ordered Popcorn shrimp as an appetizer and also ordered our main course at the same time, with the server stating that he will "course" the meal so our appetizers come out first. That didn't happen... our entrées came out first. We explained to the manager, who had brought the meals out to us, that we hadn't received our appetizers yet. He politely stated he'll get our appetizers and remake our entrées. After getting our appetizers, which were very good, we waited another 15 minutes before our waiter told us our "ticket" was next up, and he'll be getting our food out.

The entrées came out, and most of it was very good, but my girlfriends ribs were dry and not really "fall-off- the- bone" like we were expecting. We then ordered dessert, with me ordering Key Lime pie and Irish Coffee. Our friends got their dessert and regular coffee fairly quickly, and I got my Key Lime pie, but waited quite a long time for my Irish Coffee. I was done with my pie before the coffee even came, and the reason I got was the bartender was slow! There is no apology for it taking so long but blaming the bartender instead.

We got our bill and were told that the manager comp'd our appetizers and dessert, which was nice, but didn't really satisfy our overall disappointment with a recommended restaurant that was raved about.

Now, maybe our server was having a bad evening, but it's not likely we'll go back there, based on the length of time to get our apps, the amount of time it took to receive our drinks (2 rounds), and eating my entire dessert before even receiving my...

WOW! This place is absolutely amazing - a humble and hidden gem with extraordinary food and people. My boyfriend lives in Highland Park and frequents this place often. I have heard him talk about it but didn't realize how great it was until I went for myself a few months ago.

The food and menu were very eclectic. I have never seen so many different types of foods and cuisine offered! We had escargot, tuna tartare, ribs, jumbalaya, pulled pork sandwich, and bananas foster. There are so many things on that menu that I wanted to try. Additionally, the presentation of the food was unique. The tuna tartare came out in a dish sitting a top of a fish bowl with real live fish!

The staff were all very attentive and friendly as well. The owner walked around and talked to the tables. Plus, the chef came out and sat down with us (and other tables) for several minutes. His passion for cooking is definitely evident in his food - his invaluable skills make the restaurant.

I like the atmosphere of the restaurant - trendy yet casual. I think the decor could be upgraded a little, as it doesn't seem to be even close to the same level as the food. The bar has a modern and chic look to it though.

I guess I would be considered a "foodie," as my friends and I always try new restaurants and foods. I have been to a lot of top-rated restaurants and traveled all over the world, and I can honestly say the taste and wide array of items on the menu make me put this restaurant in my top 15 of all time (which says a lot). I just wish I lived in Chicago so I could go there every week.

You are missing out if you do not try this place; I guarantee you will fall in love with it,...