Bluestem Bistro — Restaurant in Manhattan

I visited the Bluestem Bistro for the first time today with my two brothers and had an enjoyable experience! The cashier greeted us when we walked in and said thanks when we left, which is a very hospitable thing to do so I appreciate that. The space is quite large offering both indoor and outdoor dining. I liked that there is a private dining area for groups that want to meet together, and that the outdoor seating area is dog friendly! The inside overall is airy and inviting which makes it a great space for studying or catching up with a friend. The cortado I ordered was prepared well and definitely did the job caffeine wise!

The biggest downside I noticed was it is quite hard to find vegetarian friendly items on the menu. The veggie focaccia is really the only vego friendly item that has some substance to it so I ordered that with pretzels. What I liked about the meal is how soft the bread was and all of the ingredients on the sandwich were very fresh! What I did not like and the reason for docking 1 star came down to lack of vegetarian friendly options, the side of pretzels were sort of dumped on the plate from a larger bag and I think for the price of the meal the value just wasn't there for me. The sandwich itself could use more ingredients on it especially since again its the only vegetarian sandwich available. I think adding some onion, tofu, extra peppers, black olives, anything really I mean there's a lot of veggies that could make this sandwich ten times better and more filling. Just a suggestion!

For future I would recommend others check out this cafe and play a game or get a coffee. If given the chance to come back again I would give Bluestem Bistro...

I'm very disappointed with how I was treated by this business and I'd like to tell you a little story about it.

I played guitar here as part of the jazz brunch for over 17 years, starting in 2005. In 2009, when the leader moved away, he handed the baton to me. In 2015, I made the mistake of asking a former teacher of mine to join me, and we played as a duet.

Last year, this former teacher 1) texted people that I was schizophrenic and lied about it afterwards 2) YELLED at me, in front of customers after we were done playing, on multiple occasions 3) offered to store some of my instruments in his storage unit when my house was destroyed in a storm, then denied me access to them 4).....and a handful of other stuff. You get the point.

When I confronted my former teacher and duet partner, it was through text, so I would have a record. I was polite and asked him to leave me alone. He blew up at me. A little over a week later, his very good buddy and owner of Bluestem Bistro fired me over the phone.

I was fired over the phone after playing here for 17 years. I was lied to during that conversation, and the owner admitted to me that there was no reason to fire me.

I would discourage people from patronizing a business that treats the musicians it hires his way.

I have gone onto facebook to register my complaints and tell other people about what happened. I was blocked.

In other words, this is the kind of business who fires people over the phone. It's the kind of business who supports professors stealing their students' work and taking credit. And it's the kind of business who deletes bad reviews.

I'd recommend...

Bluestem Bistro is one of my favorite places on earth. I have spent many summer days sipping cold drinks on the patio and many winter days inside curled up with a hot drink. I am a Sunday brunch regular, and I know several of their baristas by name.

That being said, I don't think that they have adapted well to the current situation due to the COVID outbreak. They have added a sneeze guard in front of the cash register, and employees are wearing masks, but they did not put one up between the line of customers and the baked goods on display next to the register. There is also not a barrier along the drink counter, and while I was waiting for my food, I saw many people put their hands on the counter while asking questions or picking up drinks and it wasn't sanitized between every touch. Actually, I stood there for about 20 minutes, and I didn't see a single surface be sanitized. They have not removed enough tables, and it is difficult to navigate the restaurant and maintain a 6 foot distance. Actually, it's impossible, because they still have tables down the middle aisle. The patio is equally crowded. Older people sitting on the patio are not relaxed, because the college aged people are not courteous about keeping a distance. The environment is downright uncomfortable.

Bistro, I love you, but I did not feel safe going there today. I'm posting this review in hope that you will review your choices. I would love to see your business continue for many years, but I'm worried about what an outbreak at your location would do to your reputation. People who are high risk for COVID should...