Viand Cafe — Restaurant in New York

I have been frequenting this establishment, especially in the evening for dinner.

I stopped in for breakfast on 11/27/21 at approximately 11am. Within 5 minutes of sitting I heard a commotion. It appeared to be a customer getting loud with a waitress. Disruptively loud. Further investigation, and I noticed it was the OWNER of the restaurant berating his own staff at the entrance of his Cafe.

I took it upon myself to address the issue with the owner himself. When asked if he was the owner or manager, he initially refused to respond. I made it clear that he used poor judgment speaking to his worker like that right on the main floor of a packed restaurant. He tried to say he was having scheduling issues to which I replied, "Not my problem. You take business outside or in the back. Not in front of paying customers. Your behavior has made me want to no longer support your establishment."

He proceeded to get loud with me, to which I replied, "I'm sorry, are you getting loud with me now? That's completely unacceptable."

After I left the restaurant a man ran up to me to applaud my confrontation with the owner stating I hit the nail on the head and that he too has seen this man yell at his staff in the past.

There are so many wonderful places to eat on the Upper West. Please do not support a business that treats their employees...

Update— spoke to the owner. He apologized wholeheartedly and sincerely.

That’s all I can ask.

Mistakes happen and this is the way to handle them.

We’ll be back.

Original post:

I often take my kid there for breakfast. The first few times we’ve gone they’ve been great— timely, responsive, and understanding.

The most recent time we went the opposite happened. While we were seated, the staff moved the stroller. No problem— I understand that the diner gets busy.

As we went to leave, I put the little one’s coat on in the stroller— in the location where the staff put it. Figured I was doing what was most convenient.

A member of the staff came over and yelled at us and loudly huffed away.

I was annoyed and asked to talk to the manager.

The manager and the staff member fabricated some story where I was changing him in the restaurant and blamed us.

I’m appalled. If it’s too busy to accommodate us, I understand— just say something.

But don’t yell at us when we’re preparing to leave and doing so where we were relocated to.

Aside from the experience it’s a classic diner. It’s fine without kids.

Don’t bring your kids.

And we won’t...

We eat here all the time....That just came to a screeching halt today. Today was the experience that would keep even the most loyal, hardened customers away, and not to return......NASTY & IMPATIENT HOST who is a family member and works week-ends. The trick is when it’s chaotic, maintain your cool.....something that this young man, who sadly happens to be a MEMBER OF THE OWNER’S FAMILY and someone who should know better. And learn how to approach and speak to your customers, even when it’s hectic, and especially your regulars. And the waiter George should never be hired to work with people. Clearly he has no patience and can’t refrain from mouthing off racist slurs. He’s out of line, and again, treating customers terribly....yelling, cursing, threatening, not willing to listen. He doesn’t deserve to be serving people in a neighborhood restaurant which should - BUT DOESN’T EVEN REMOTELY, especially after today - fell like home. Add to that, you have succeeded in raising your prices but you have NOT elevating...