Observatory Eleven Bar — Restaurant in New Orleans

I wish I had the female bartender. She was super sweet to me and my friend, even though she was not my server. The young, thin gentlemen with the forearm tattoo made me and my friend feel like I was a bother. How dare I wait by the bar then politely ask for a drink. He didn’t seem happy to be there, no niceties whatsoever. I actually felt like we were bothering him ordering. Like always, I just take it and try to be nice. I didn’t try to make small talk or be extra, just smiling and being pleasant, but of course that makes things worse I guess. They maybe see me as weak now and just treat me worse. I’m also trying to have my friend have a good time, so I am extra nice, trying to be apologetic to my friend for the bad service… Honestly, I don’t even know how to act anymore. Are bartenders used to having rude customers? Is that why this person treat us like he is doing the customers a favor even acknowledging us being there? And of course I still feel guilty and tip 15 to 20 percent, when I really want to not top at all. I fly to NOLA and spend money on hotel and Ubers just to feel like I don’t belong. I’ve worked hospitality for over two decades, I would never be able to get away with treating a patron this way. Idk, somebody tell me the right formula to insure I get a server who is just monotone. I don’t even need nice, or someone to make me feel welcomed, just a server who doesn’t make me feel like I should be happy they even acknowledge me that I patiently waited to be served. I don’t even need a “what can I get you?” I’m just asking that a bartender doesn’t finally look my direction and stare at me like he isn’t happy. Then I have to try to be nice and say hello. The guy makes me feel like I am not ordering fast enough and even if I did, we are annoying for even wanting anything.

I’ve worked for Marriott and Starwood for years in the past. I am greatly...

The view is 5+++ stars, pinot I chose 5 stars, gumbo was a 2, service ambivalent. Have been coming to this lobby for the view for 35 yrs. Stayed here a month for business years ago. Bottomline for this Westin bar — have a drink, enjoy the view, dine elsewhere. When you’re one of 3 total people sitting at the bar, you expect much faster greeting and followup. As a Louisiana native, I’m always nervous about ordering gumbo and shouldn’t have taken the bartender’s word that it was legit gumbo. The “skin” on the top meant it sat a bit, the flour gravy texture instead of rich roux was unacceptable, and just not worth finishing. $12/bowl. Westin can do better. Chef should go down street to Mr B’s to see a proper gumbo (they were closed or I’d have been there). Meh Service. Bartender never came by to ask how gumbo was, silently placed the check in front of me, 0 comment when he took my card and when he picked up the signed receipt. Would have been polite to at least have asked if there was a problem when 80% of the gumbo’s left in the bowl. I commented on the receipt. Hope they improve. Regardless, the magnificent view of the Mighty Mississippi and beloved French Quarter always makes this Westin lobby a...

Beware of the staff asking if you want to go to their speakeasy called "the valut". It is a complete scam I ask if they can make me a gin fizz but the bartender refuse cause it'll take too long. So they made me get a $30 drink before I could enter. It's a tiny room with no one and some furniture. There's a dead cockroach 🪳 on the floor and the staff didn't care if there's a spill drink, they didn't even try to clean it up until I ask him. Just trying to scam people with their "secret space". I will not return to the speak easy.

The observatory bar is actually not too bad. I had a pretty decent gumbo. The staff...