Streetside Grille — Restaurant in Suttons Bay Township

Am I allowed to review a place if we didn’t even stay to eat? I’ll give them the benefit of the doubt and assume that they were having a really bad weekend, but the reception we got at the door (if you can even call it a reception) was dismissive and rude, maybe even bordering on hostile. We walked out before taking a table, and then went up the street and had a wonderful meal at the Village Inn. Edit - Response to the owner's response: You were recommended to us by a local Sutton's Bay business owner and chef who said you were "consistent," and I will take it on his word that your food is good. We were actually looking forward to it, and I have no doubt that your service is also perfectly good most of the time. But I'm not reviewing "most of the time." I'm reviewing our experience, and our experience was abysmal. For starters, it was not busy...not at all...not even close. There were a few people at the bar and no more than a few tables occupied. That's what made it so strange. Evidently it had been busy earlier, but we were the only people waiting for a table, and there is no way on earth the bartender couldn't see us. We were practically right under her nose. (Maybe it was you? Young woman in a baseball cap). We stood there for a ridiculous amount of time without getting so much as a, "Hello. Someone will be right with you." There was a younger woman sitting at one of the many empty tables, with her back to the door, working on silverware/napkin sets. Finally I walked over to her and asked if there was someone who could seat us. She gave me a very curt response but did get up to show us a table. The beer menu she gave me looked like it had been fished out of the trash, all wadded up and dirty. She seated us toward the back, which we didn't ask for but was fine with us. Just as we were sitting down a third employee came out and said that she wasn't seating people in that section because she didn't want to walk that far, which again was fine with us. This woman asked us to come down toward the front, where several open tables were available. She chose to seat us at a tiny, cramped little thing that hadn't been bussed and was jammed against the wall under a blaring speaker. When she saw that we didn't like it, she said we could go back to the first one if we wanted. She explained that although you weren't busy then, you had been very busy earlier. At that point it was just too late. As I said, you get the benefit of the doubt, but there was no way I was spending $50-$60 in a place with such a negative vibe. Contrary to your presumption, I do know how hard restaurant employees work, because I used to be one. No restaurant is perfect all the time. But you were not even busy, and yet you managed to make my wife and me feel completely unwelcome for doing nothing more than walking in your front door. The Village Inn Grill actually was busy, but they had two very friendly hosts ready to greet customers, and we were seated immediately for a wonderful meal. I left them a 5-star review, which you are welcome to read if...

Reply to owner: Thank you for your response, but I stand by my review. To clarify: it was an older, short-haired blonde staff member who seated the couple in front of us with menus, then turned to us and told us to seat ourselves. I waited at the doorway expecting menus, but was told again to seat ourselves—so we sat outside, still without menus.

Your server, a dark-haired female, proceeded to serve the couple who had just arrived ahead of us—also seated outside—but made no effort to acknowledge us at any point. It doesn’t take much to greet a guest or simply say, “I’ll be right with you.” Regardless of how busy you claim to be (which you weren't—we looked), the lack of basic acknowledgment was clear.

I’ve worked in hospitality and I understand how things should work. This was poor service, and dismissing feedback doesn’t make it any less true. You also have other reviews citing similar experiences. Instead of trying to discredit mine, maybe it’s time to reflect on recurring issues.

As for my review history—yes, it includes both positive and negative experiences, as honest reviews should. If negative feedback is something you can’t handle, perhaps it’s time to consider whether this line of work is the right fit. Right now, your reply reads more like a defensive outburst than a professional response from a business owner.

Oroginal post: Can't say anything about the food because we couldn't even get service. Walked in the door, hostess sat people in front of us, told me to seat ourselves. Waited several minutes for menus and any recognition from the waitress that was getting drink orders from the couple that was sat next to us. Nothing. Waitress looked at us twice but didn't acknowledge us in any way. After what seemed like a long wait, we decided to leave and go somewhere else. My husband mentioned to the hostess on our way out why we were leaving and she didn't seem to care much. Really bad service for a restaurant that...

Whenever we're in SB, Streetside is a must. It's the little things that put this restaurant over the top. The garage door style windows were open when we arrived, so we sat in the dining room but it felt like we were on the patio, which I love. It's always thoughtful when restaurants open the windows when the weather is nice. I got a lobster roll and chips, and the addition of green onions and buttered, toasted split top bun make this my favorite sandwich on the peninsula. My husband always gets the classic burger and it's always served on a buttered, toasted bun, which, again, just elevates it. The seasoned fries and kettle chips were perfect sides. Though, I saw the table next to us had ordered a set of three little loaded baked potatoes and I must admit I was intrigued! They looked delish! In my experience, everything that comes out of the kitchen is spectacular. The wine and beer list is always bound to have reliable options as well as something new and exciting to try. My husband tried a new Pilsner and I got my favorite, Mawby Bubbles. Both were great. We had a wonderful time. Service was great; our waitress was friendly and prompt with refills. We will...