The Parlor TC — Restaurant in Traverse City

We came at 2:30 and they don't open until 4pm so we went to Rare Bird next door. We were careful not to park in front of any Parlor parking signs.

At about 4:10 we left Rare Bird and got in our perfectly parked between two yellow lines vehicle and as we left we were confronted by a man who gave us the roll down your window sign.

He asked us not to block the dumpster and was giving us a "friendly notice" so he didn't have to tow us.

I am a proper parking fanatic so I looked at the spot I just left, looked at the dumpster ten feet away, and pointed out I was parked fine.

Then he changed tactics and said I was parking in the Parlor parking area, and I said I saw the signs and specifically parked way at the end in front of a different business where there was no sign. I was then told the "whole area" was for the Parlor and again, I was just getting a "friendly notice" because he didn't want to tow me.

So, should I be appreciative he didn't tow me considering I was perfectly parked, came while the parlor wasn't even open, did not block the dumpster, and took notice not to park anywhere near a Parlor parking sign? I'm not sure what to think but at this point I am a little offended and not inclined to ever actually try the Parlor...

I just don't know what to make of this incident. I thought it over 24 hours before deciding to comment just to rethink and see if I actually felt I could have somehow been in the wrong or known the spot in front of another business with no parking restriction still belonged to the Parlor. I have to admit I have heard nothing but good things about the Parlor but didn't appreciate the way my wife and I were treated.

I am still giving a high rating because I don't was a place with a good reputation getting a negative rating because of one person who couldn't get their story straight who might have been on a power trip, or maybe he literally just had a bad day, etc.

Be mindful of your parking I guess is...

I went there while traveling through. I got mixed up looking for a micro brew. Even though they didn't they had a few drinks from other local breweries.

6/10 for not having micro brews even if they asked another place to sell their brews. Other cities they share some of the brews between restaurants helping each other compete against big brands and increase selection of local brands.

9.5/10 for being a place focused on social gathering 5/10 for no places for 1 or 2 people groups to gather with other groups and increase sociability and meeting new people.

10/10 Waitress in the back was really good and knowledgeable. I told her to just pick a drink based on what I am used to and she picked a local MI brewed drink. That be in a can but ok.

9.5 for food being social food and fitting with atmosphere but as a solo or 2 person group. That goes with some seating for people to meet new people.

Major minus points for not having photos of the area of the history of the buildings on the block or town. The photos keep the history alive, tell a story and not forgotten how the city has developed. Watch a recent video from not just bikes. Also advocate for biking infrastructure and travelers can park and grab a bike to take in all the culture. There is a very diverse culture in traverse city.

9.5/10 for the waitress being knowledgeable about the vineyards. 5/10 Not enough time to hear more. I wish there was more time to hear more about it.

She also worked well around the other waiter when they were both reaching over each other when things got busy.

Concern on the fish though. Sound travels more in water. Is that tank insulated from sound.

Overall I would still...

Not sure how this place manages such glowing reviews. For the last 25 years or so, I've eaten out about 500-600 times a year worldwide, so I've seen a lot of things.

My first time here, I reviewed the menu and was surprised to discover that the only side available is chips. To be certain I was reading that right, I asked the server if there were other options and she said no. This may be a first, aside from street cart food.

After ordering a burger, I requested an uncut lemon. With a bit of attitude, the server asked, "What do you need that for?" (Seemed like the sky was falling because of this simple request.) She went to find a manager, then came back and said, "We can get you a lemon but that will be a five-dollar charge."

Having traveled the world over, this right here might be the most ludicrous charge I've ever seen. Sure, in Europe I might see a one-euro charge for a lemon, but this particular charge is so over the top... this place now has a well-earned one-star review.

I canceled my order and left. Treat people with such contempt and get the...