So I've been meaning to stop in here for over a year, since I only live a block away on Downs street & Ten Broek. Tonight, I decided to treat myself to dinner here for all the hard work I've been putting in lately. I had the right idea to treat myself. I just chose the WRONG venue.
Upon walking in at 7:15PM, never having been here, I step into a bar. The customers seated on their stools turn and look at me. I ask if theres a restaurant here, and the poor overworked bartender ushers me into a small, dark, (sun is setting) back room with like 4 tables, instead of offering patio seating, which I was not aware of until I opened their menu, which states that patio seating is available beginning in April.
So as I'm sitting at my table, a different more managerial looking gentleman approaches me, and takes my drink order. At this time, I ask him about the patio seating, and he directs me outdoors, where I see a lot more people, a few tables still vacant, but apparently, that's where everyone was seated on this lovely evening. He seats me at a 2 top right next to the busy door where there's going to be a lot of servers coming in and out, so I moved myself to a table in the corner, quieter, out of the fray, (its been a long, busy few days) that happened to be a little larger with 4 chairs, instead of 2, but the only vacancy out of the way.
At this point, I still don't have a Pepsi but its cool, when the manager comes back out, still empty-handed drink-wise & sees me...at my new table, and instead of coming over & speaking to me like a human being, he tells me across the crowd of people, that "anybody dining "alone" is not allowed to sit at a 4 chair table in case a "larger party" comes in."
At this point, I ask to have my food prepared as takeout, then I realize God knows how long it's going to take for them to fix my food, and where am I supposed to sit in the meantime? At the bar? I dont drink alcohol and I wasn't here to socialize. I was here to treat myself to a nice overpriced meal and some fresh air.
Ahh...but apparently the simple things in life are just too much to ask for, at some places. So knowing that I cannot reward this type treatment with my business tonight or ever, I asked them to just never mind, please cancel my order, and I split right then and there. If they'd rather trade in someone (a quieter, heavier woman sitting alone) who would've definitely spent at least $40 before the generous tip...for a 4 top of livelier folks that "might" come in way later, and spend tons more, I'll pass. I will literally continue to pass Casa Villa like I always have, on my way home. Only now, I won't wonder what I'm missing out on.
As I type this, I'm sitting outside and relaxing at Santa Fe Mexican Restaurant's outdoor patio on Main Street in Uptown Kingston.
It really does take awhile to get a good customer, and only a second to lose one. You see, the quiet, heavier woman sitting at Casa Villa's corner table, is not unlike anyone else here in the Hudson Valley. She owns her own business, so she knows a bit about customer service, & happened to have just under $11,000 in cash sitting in a zippered bank bag in her purse from busting her ass, to deposit after her meal. She's too busy running her business to grocery shop, cook, and clean dishes, so she spreads her economic love all over the local restaurant landscape here in the Hudson Valley, just like the next guy, trying to enjoy a meal at the end of a long day. I guess the folks over at Casa Villa already have all the good customers they will ever need. Ooh here comes my food. Happy May Day 2018 all!