Courtland Club — Restaurant in Providence

I am still disgusted by my experience at Sunday Jazz. I’ve been there before but not at the start of the set. And never so close to the artists.

My eyebrows were up with the staff announcement on bullhorn that patrons should speak loud enough for the person next to them to hear, but not loud enough to be heard across the bar because no one wants to hear about your Aunt Sharon’s kidney stones. It just seemed like something adults shouldn’t have to hear.

Into the set and after a few questions amongst our party, an artist on the bullhorn indicated that it was hard to do what they do while people are speaking loudly, that there is seating on the patio if people wanted to talk and that it is like having a conversation with someone while another is loud-talking over. It felt apparent that the message was directed at us and we looked at each other confused because we weren’t talking loudly (but may have been perceived to be because we were seated almost on top of the artists). I listened carefully for almost the rest of the set (not to the music - but) to determine if anyone in the audience was speaking and thus learned that the expectation is almost complete silence. To say it was uncomfortable was an understatement.

I don’t mind following the culture of any space, but there are a few things I’d recommend that the business can prepare patrons for:

First, let people know that the expectation is not quiet talk, but silence, at least if you reserve a table. This can easily be noted at the reservation stage.

Remove tables in earshot of artists or let those people know before they put down their money what the expectation is. Alternatively, let people know at the reservation stage that if they might be asking people how their food and drink is or anything else that they should reserve a patio seat.

Have enough food for the reserved tables (I reserved these seats 10 days in advance). I was shocked not to be able to order what our table wanted (maybe 4-5 dishes were left) and the glass of wine I ordered was substituted (I’m so glad the server gave me a sample and checked first).

Last, be clear about the culture of your space and how a respectful way to protect it (e.g. if anyone was too loud, it would be easy enough for a server or other staff to whisper to or send a note to a table).

I’ve never been humiliated in a room of strangers (and don’t recommend it to anyone - especially the night before it’s time to go back to work). No one person there or a collective was more important that me or my party. Nobody needs to pay almost $20 a plate and drink to be disrespected - it's not 'exclusive or hip' it's more like cliquey and...

We tried this place on a recent Sat night around 10pm. I have always loved these hidden little places to relax and have a cocktail. It's a nondescript house/building in a regular neighborhood just off Broadway. There is no sign but the door has a 51 on it. It's amazing because you don't here any noise coming from the place when you're outside. It's small but yet very comfortable with exposed brick on the far wall and a small bar that seats maybe 5 people on the left. Besides that, there are small tables located throughout the space. It probably has seating for 30 people and there were probably about 20 people there which was perfect. The staff is great-very friendly and accommodating. The cocktails are incredible (but so are the prices). There is a small plate menu that's pretty good. I only tried the chourico but I thought it was a great pick food while having a cocktail. Good music and a very chill atmosphere. I will...

The hostess was warm and inviting, but the young man who was serving our table seemed like he couldn’t be bothered with us for some reason. He walked away when we placed our order for apps even though we wanted to also put in our entrees at the same time. This is something he would have noticed if he had bothered to make eye contact with any of us for any period of time. Over the course of 2 hours he came to our table 3, maybe 4 times and then rushed us out saying there was another reservation so we either needed to order dessert or leave. If he had been more attentive, I doubt that we would have been there for the amount of time we were and this awkward exchange wouldn’t have happened.

They also had DJs performing and it was insanely loud. I couldn’t hear anyone I was with. It was only 8pm, so I wasn’t expecting a party atmosphere.

Food and drinks were delicious, but service needs...