The Full Moon Oyster Bar - Jamestown — Restaurant in Jamestown

Appalling Service Experience

Our group of 12 came in after golfing at Jamestown Park, expecting a good meal and some hospitality. Instead, we encountered one of the most unprofessional servers we have ever dealt with.

Our server, Ally/Allie, greeted us with a dismissive attitude and set the tone for what became an embarrassing scene for the restaurant. When one member of our party mentioned he wasn’t ordering because he had to leave for a flight, Ally snatched all the menus away and said, “So none of y’all want anything.” When another guest pointed out that just because one person wasn’t ordering didn’t mean the rest of us didn’t want food, Ally replied, “Oh well.”

When we asked for the menus back, Ally’s response was shocking: “Are y’all drunk?” This was both insulting and unacceptable. None of us had consumed alcohol, as it was 94 degrees on the course and we take our competitive golf seriously. To level such an accusation without cause was not only disrespectful, but also degrading. It demonstrates a lack of judgment, and a disregard for basic respect. Comments like that cross the line from poor service into outright hostility, and no guest should ever be spoken to in that manner.

Ally never brought the menus back, and it took other employees stepping in to rescue the situation and get our orders placed. Every single one of us ordered, including the guest that initially declined.

We stayed and patronized the restaurant for over an hour, and in all that time Ally never once had the decency or professionalism to apologize for her behavior. That silence spoke volumes as it showed us Ally felt no responsibility for how she treated us, and worse, no respect for us as paying guests.

This happened in full view of other patrons, several of whom commented on how uncalled for her behavior was. For a restaurant that relies on reputation and repeat customers, this type of service is damaging. I have a Golf Group of over 70 professional men and women that are vital to our economy and the community that we serve and we were appalled at being treated this way.

Full Moon Oyster Bar needs to take a serious, uncompromising look at its hiring and training practices if it expects to keep its clientele. What we experienced wasn’t just bad service, it was an outright display of disrespect and contempt toward paying customers. In a competitive restaurant market, behavior like this does’t just ruin a meal, it destroys trust and damages the brand. If this is the type of service tolerated, management is sending the message that professionalism, respect, and basic hospitality are optional. For us, and for many who witnessed it, that is...

UPDATED POST

Let me start by saying, my boyfriend and I stumbled upon this place about a year and a half ago. We were absolutely in love. The atmosphere feels like a beach front dive, the service was great, the food was exceptional. I told everyone I knew about this place - it was perfect!! I am a really big tipper, especially when the stars align and everything is so great!

Now, we have been back a few times and each time, the experience was great. Each time, I left a great tip to express my gratitude. We bought T shirts donning the Full Moon logo, and we wear them constantly.

Now I am updating my original, stellar post. Last Saturday, me, my boyfriend, and 2 NEW folks that we invited, due to the rave reviews the bar has, arrived at 8pm, put our name in to be seated, was told there would be a 45 minute wait, which we expected. We casually waited until our name was called and we excitedly entered and took our seats at about 8:45pm. The entire time we were seated the entire staff was hustling circles around us cleaning up/prepping to get out of there. The waitress was very pushy, wanting our entire order, drinks, appetizers, and meal at one time. We added an appetizer when she made a second round to her table and she hesitated stating that the kitchen staff "starts acting funny this time of night" (9pm) She seemed irritated, along with the kitchen staff that we were there, ordering. The restaurant doesn't close until 10pm. In my experience, all of the rushing and cleaning is something that should be done perhaps, within 15 minutes of closing and the bulk of it being performed AFTER guests leave. Also, if guests showing up at 8, 2 hours before close, is putting too much burden on staff, why not cut people off at 7/7:30? Anyway, once food was received, the portions had been reduced in size and 2 of the entrees that we ordered were prepared totally differently than they were on our previous trips. Our visit was uncomfortable, not relaxing and left a bitter taste in my mouth since after spending that much on food and alcohol, none of us really got to enjoy our time there. Honestly, it broke my heart. Full Moon had become my absolute favorite date night spot. My boyfriend says he refuses to return but I would, only to see if perhaps it was just an "off" night. Atmosphere and the experience, to me, is just as important as the meal...

[Updating my original review due to a recent and profoundly disappointing experience, particularly concerning the treatment of a disabled customer:

I treated my father, who was still recovering from massive abdominal surgery and a month in the hospital, to lunch at our favorite restaurant. Unable to sit at our usual bar spot, we requested an accessible wall table.

Our server quickly became exasperated, provided minimal attention but maximum attitude. My meal arrived first, followed by my father's much later via kitchen staff, and then an annoyed oyster shucker was sent over to see if we needed anything else. He clearly hoped we didn't. With the exception of the kitchen staffer, the service made the entire outing unpleasant.

It was heartbreaking and infuriating to see my father, who nearly died, feel like an inconvenience for needing an accessible seat. Disability rights and accommodation are vital.

I attempted to contact the business on June 2nd regarding their unacceptable treatment of a disabled person. I didn't want a refund or anything free, but a response or apology seemed reasonable. As a former small business owner, I would have been mortified by this staff behavior. I received no response. While the food is consistently delicious (hence the two stars), I will never return to this or any of their locations.

If you need disability accommodations, think twice about this business.]

Original Review Full Moon Jamestown is my favorite restaurant in the entire state. The atmosphere is quirky and nautical with two large wooden bars and a few side tables. This means you eat with strangers beside you, which I love. I always meet someone new when I visit and have wonderful conversations with people I would never have interacted with in a traditional restaurant. I prefer going on Mondays for their oyster specials, but everything I have eaten here has been delicious. The staff are always friendly, professional, and fast. Food is served at the perfect temperature and wait times are fast even when...