R+D Kitchen — Restaurant in University Park

Booked a reservation 2 weeks in advance for my first time dining at this restaurant. Tried to book for 3, however, reservations of 2 are all offered online. Not sure why when parties of all sizes can be sat. We reserved for 2 anyways and the day of called a few time without success getting a hold of someone to see what we can do to accommodate us. The 3 of us ended up going. My girlfriend and I came in and were sat at a 2 person table while my girlfriend was parking. She came in, masked, shortly after without ANYONE questioning her. We sat down, ordered drinks and my friend went to the hostess stand to explain the situation and ask if there was any way we could move to a slightly bigger table. There were a few open tables so we thought we'd ask. A taller, blonde lady with a black uniform questioned where she was seated and if we even had a reservation. She explained the situation and this lady told her it was against policy and she needed to exit the restaurant immediately and that we could add our name to the long waitlist for a party of 3 during prime dinner time (a long line of people waiting outside). I get policy. But the lady wasn't kind, calm, or helpful. She kicked my friend out and she had to embarrassingly as if she can just grab her purse from the table and at least tell us she was leaving. Which the lady responded "sure" in the rudest way possible. We canceled our drink order because we're not letting a friend get kicked out of a restaurant and we're clearly not staying if this is how they treat paying customers. We made no scene. As we walk out the same woman who kicked our friend out yelled across the dining room "THANK YOU" in the most condescending way. It was my first time here and my girlfriends had been begging me to try this place. So I reluctantly agreed. It was MY BIRTHDAY and all I wanted was an intimate dinner with 2 good girlfriends at a place people always seem to rave about. Not sure what there is to rave about. Poor customer service by 1 woman ruined what could have been a great experience by paying customers during COVID. THANKS TO THE WOMAN WHO MADE US FEEL LESS THAN HUMAN BEINGS. I guess it's cool to be rude to people when they...

It pains me to write this review, this has consistently been the best restaurant in Dallas. The food is always prepared with a certain excellence that only the main Chef Martine can deliver! The true essence of this gem has always been the smartest and most talented staff in the city. The bar staff are the best group of bar tenders in the city and have genuinely become what all of the routine regulars call family. My wife and I eat there 4 nights a week for the past 4 years and so look forward to seeing the brilliant crew every night. They always greet everyone with a smile and how can I help you. They range in tenure from 10 years to 3 years of service and were dedicated throughout the pandemic, and when all restaurants were struggling with staff they leaned on these core group to help and they did! They recently brought on a new GM who has single handedly ruined the culture person by person. She works by intimidating and a culture of fear she has taken zero time to get to know the patrons nor the staff. My wife and I watched the slow destruction for the last 4 months and firing of the best team in Dallas one by one. We don't intend on going back to this establishment and reward organizations that mistreat their dedicated staff. Chris, Jenni, Darrion, Ally, Audrey, Herani, Rebecca, Vishal, Brandon we are sorry for the culture that you are now subjected too. If we have learned one thing during this pandemic its to appreciate the best things in life and never knew we would find it here but we did and that was all because of you. Once the word gets out in Dallas I'm sure we will not be the only loyal regulars that will stop coming to this establishment that is no longer the unique neighborhood gem...

4/9/2024 I haven’t ate here but I probably won’t ever based on a short interaction I had with one employee. I rarely ever do reviews, let alone leave a negative one but this short experience left a bad taste. a nursing student and on the side as a stream of income I deliver with Amazon Flex. I often deliver to business along with residential houses and the employees are always so helpful, nice and respectful. That had not been the case here.

When I walked in to deliver there had been one lady already in front of me and another walked in after me. KATHERINE, the host, of course seated the first guest and I waited patiently she came back and I just assumed she would take a quick moment to assist me. She didn’t even acknowledge me she immediately went past me and helped the lady I’m assuming she knew behind me and engaged in conversation. I was very polite said “excuse me” and she looked at me with the most disgusting look and continued talking I then said excuse me again and in an attempt to let her know I just wanted to hand off this package. She told me to hold on and continued to walk away. Another lady and gentlemen working there saw the encounter and the lady was kind enough to help me. She is the one who gave me Katherine’s name and I let her know that she was very rude.

I had on regular clothes (mom jeans, white shoes and shirt) and I saw others as well with the same attire, some in business casual. So the fact that she for starters ignored I was there and went straight past me and two was rude was a deal breaker for me and already not a good look on how I can...