Long story short: staff & management are not good with money or time management when drinking.
My experience was that we sat for 20 minutes to get my cabarnet. My partner waited about 35 minutes to get his mocktail. During this time, the manager at the bar, as well as a bartender, were drinking. The manager requested multiple bottles to be brought up from the cellar to be tasted in the time it took for me to receive a glass of wine. The server later plated the mocktail my partner ordered and stood with it for a few minutes talking to another staff member and playing with the garnishes. She brought it over and dropped it, this is when I asked if we could get a check. She turned her back and walked away so I asked another staff member who said no problem. The check came about 5 minutes later. I left cash for the bill and tip, which was a bit over 18% for the long wait. Our table server came over, took it and said I’ll be back with change, reviewed it, talked to the manager, who was the one drinking at the bar, to which I heard them discussing how people refuse to tip. She came back with my “change” short of what the change actually would have been. I asked for her to come back and stated the change was short & the remainder was the tip. The bill was $28.50 for a wine & mocktail, I left $35 in cash. At first she said oh she may have been mistaken and I said I heard her speaking to the bar guest and she admitted people haven’t tipped well this night. I asked to speak to the manager, who was the bar guest, who told me the opposite of what she said in that she just accidentally shorted me in the change. He asked if I wanted the money she shorted me and I said no, the 18% was meant to be a tip for waiting 35 minutes for a single round of a wine & a mocktail while staff are drinking & miscalculating money.
The last two times I’ve come here it has been a similar experience. I used to come here about a year and a half ago and it was a more prompt and pleasant experience without worry of whether the staff were mishandling...
Read moreNestled in the vibrant streets of Philadelphia, Charlie Was A Sinner. is a haven for those seeking a culinary experience that transcends expectations. With its inviting ambiance and innovative plant-based cuisine, this restaurant captivates the senses and leaves a lasting impression.
Let's dive into the star of the show: the food. Each dish at Charlie Was A Sinner. is a work of art, meticulously crafted to delight even the most discerning palate. From the first bite to the last, every flavor sings in perfect harmony, showcasing the creativity and skill of the culinary team.
However, I must address a notable aspect of our dining experience—the service. While the staff was friendly and accommodating, there were some shortcomings that impacted the overall enjoyment of our meal. In particular, our server seemed lacking in knowledge of the menu, unable to provide accurate information about certain dishes' ingredients. This became especially problematic when attempting to accommodate dietary restrictions at our table. Rather than consulting the chef or kitchen staff for clarification, our server seemed uncertain and unable to provide the necessary assistance.
Despite this hiccup, I must commend the kitchen for their flexibility and willingness to accommodate our dietary needs once the issue was brought to their attention. Their dedication to ensuring a positive dining experience did not go unnoticed and ultimately salvaged what could have been a disappointing situation.
In conclusion, while Charlie Was A Sinner. excels in its culinary offerings, there is room for improvement in the realm of service, particularly in staff knowledge and communication. Nonetheless, I remain impressed by the restaurant's commitment to delivering exceptional plant-based cuisine and look forward to returning for another memorable...
Read moreA week before my trip to Philadelphia four (4) months ago, I reached out to Charlie to make reservations for a party of 8. Unfortunately, I couldn't use a reservation app due to the size of our group. When I called, someone answered and took down all my information for a form required for large party dining. They assured me that someone would contact me within a day or so. However, to my disappointment, no one reached out. I decided to take matters into my own hands while in Philly. Coincidentally, I found myself dining at a restaurant just across the street from Charlie. Determined to resolve this reservation issue, I walked over to Charlie in person. I provided their front end employee with the same information I had given over the phone TWICE- hoping they could find any record of my call. Unfortunately, their search on the reservation iPad turned up empty. I then requested the employee make the reservation on the spot, but she informed me that they couldn't accommodate me at that moment. She went upstairs to look into my inquiries further and returned downstairs with a disappointing response. She nonchalantly said, "I'm sorry, but if anyone cancels, we'll give you a call. We have your form upstairs... Her words struck me, and I interrupted her mid-sentence, unable to contain my frustration. I asked, "So, you DO have my form, yet no one bothered to inform me about anything?" The employee responded with an unapologetic grin and said, "Yeahhhhhh, I knoooooow.... I'm sorrrryyyyyy." Needless to say, I have decided to remove your establishment from my list of dining options. As a plant-based cookbook author who has cooked for A-list celebrities and was bringing the celebrated founder of the most notable film festival in your city, this level of disregard for customer service is highly...
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