Bar Charley — Restaurant in Washington

Interesting experience. 5% “hidden” service charge. Restaurant owner: please adjust your menu items to reflect this instead of attempting to slide one by your customers and jeopardizing the staffs tips, as those are most likely the ones that are impacted, as a result. (Read more on this in paragraph 4).

Otherwise, the space is great!! It reminded me a lot of places in NY. The bartender intercepted us upon arrival and was really awesome in helping us get a table during a busy Sunday brunch. All the service staff we engaged with were warm and approachable.

The food was good. I had the steak and eggs and enjoyed it very much. It surpassed my expectations. My girlfriend had the tuna tar tar and that was good as well. The chips that came with it were stale tasting. Easy to overlook and we could have asked to get some fresh ones if we really wanted to and I feel confident that they would have accommodated.

Overall, it was a really great experience until the end. After signing the bill I noticed that the itemized check (something I rarely look at) had a 5% service charge added on all food and beverage, before tax. That was the only place it was reflected, otherwise I would have missed it. I have never seen this before on any restaurant bill, nor have I ever heard of this in having worked in the restaurant industry in NY for 15+ years. Is this happening elsewhere? Post COVID thing? Regardless, it feels like a very sneaky/shady way of operating. I did decide to ask our server what this charge represented, something I feel most people probably wouldn’t do bc it did feet a bit uncomfortable to do so, especially in front of my guest. The server brought over a menu and explained that the addition of the charge is written at the bottom in fine print. Are people really reading that stuff? Our server went on to explain that it does not go to the servers, it is not part of the tip, and it is a fee that goes straight to the restaurant. The menu description expresses that the charge is for increased operating prices. That’s something you build into the menu items current cost and don’t try and slide by the customer. Our server did say that he could ask to have it taken off the bill. I declined. It was only $5. This is more about principal and the uncomfortable customer experience. Additionally, this is also the type of thing where only the restaurant stands to win while potentially impacting the service staff when it comes to tipping. These hard working individuals depend on tips. They are not crushing it on the hourly wage. We kept our tip the same in understanding the situation and decided to write a review and not go back as the proper way to handle it. To the staff, we hope you are not experiencing people adjusting tips if they discover this and are upset. I personally understand how powerless staff can be in these situations.

An experience that left me and my guest feeling we would not...

Came for the food and drinks, not returning because of service and management. I had a pretty terrible dining experience here 2 weeks ago. I emailed management directly have not heard a thing in response. Instead of elaborating I'm just copying the email I sent below*: *Note, I did find a note about 20% gratuity on the bottom of the regular menu when I checked the website. Just couldn't find it on the happy hour menu I was ordering off of.

To the Management Team, I am writing to alert you of a negative dining experience I had at Bar Charley on August 8th. This is the first time I have been back to the restaurant since the pandemic; the food and cocktails were just as good as in the past. Service on the other hand was unacceptable to the point that I am not sure I will return. I had a 6:30 reservation and my party was fully sat by 6:40. We were asked for drink orders promptly but it was not until past 7 PM when we were able to order food. After food arrived, there was never a check-in from our server. I watched as multiple servers sat at the roundtop by the host stand, relaxing and on their phones. The manager was standing at the host stand witnessing this and did not seem to care that the staff was taking breaks while guests were trying to order. Our own server hung out at the POSI station a few feet from my table but refused to come by and acknowledge us. My friends and I all wanted to order more food and drinks but had to flag down other servers to do so. Instead of ordering more food for the table I resorted to ordering to-go food because I just wanted to close out my bill at that point. It still took 30 minutes after that to get our server's attention and let her know that we wanted the check. To cap off this experience we (a party of 3), were presented with a check that was autogratted at 20%. I have never been autogratted for anything other than parties of 6 or more in DC. I understand that the repercussions of the pandemic have hit restaurants hard but this does not sit well with me given:

1. The autogratt policy is not advertised anywhere on your website, menu, and was not verbalised by the server.
2. The service we received was truly horrendous. Restaurants are short staffed at the moment but I refuse to believe this was the reason for my experience. I watched as your staff and management hung around, checked their phones, and relaxed at open tables while all I wanted was reasonably prompt service. I am reaching out to you directly because I do not want to bash a business publicly on a platform like Yelp etc. but I feel this experience still very much needs to...

This has all the signs of a hole in the wall from the outside but it is ANYTHING BUT. The entrance is on the lower level and is easily accessible from 18th St. You walk in going down a set of stairs and will be greeted by their host. You'll see the bar to the left and front dinning room the right, it is quaint and inviting. The host wasted no time in making me feel welcomed and explaining the lay of the land known as Bar Charley (bathroom location, covid-19 protocols, how to move in the restaurant, etc.). The patio is where they were seating guest this evening. The projected lighting set the ambiance of the establishment, chill, welcoming and relaxing.

My server was Ashton and he walked me through the menu and was great in suggesting things accordingly. He brought to my attention that Bar Charley started as a steak house and their stake program is well versed and executed. So a filet was ordered. It had magnificent plating. It presents cut in half so there's no surprise once you dig it. It was cooked exactly as desired it was smooth to cut through. The parsnips puree, maitake mushrooms, ramps pesto, and fiddlehead ferns were not for garnish they were carefully involved components that enhance the cut of protein they were paired with. I want to cook this at home but why when they have it here 😁.

I enjoyed 3 cocktails: The Which Doctor - Aeromatic, smooth taste, well balanced. Great glass (see pic) Baltic Sea Bash - Bitters give it an enticing aroma that make you take a larger sip than expected. (see pic) The Giggle Water on Tap - They play the lime and passion fruit well so that they don't overwhelm you on the back end. (no pic, my bad)

Great desert options but I want to give myself a reason to come back. I loved it. I think it's a great place to have an intimate night out with your significant other or to wine down with your crew. I can only imagine what brunch would be like here (stay tuned for that update on the review). Definitely ask for Ashton, he'll look for ways to enhance your experience every step of the way.

Oh and Kirk and Spock are waiting to say hello to you in...