chron.com | tubular tv | comics | games | horoscopes | iPhone | Quick Search
C.J. Yeoman has something to say about Cafe Adobe, 7620 Katy Freeway.
“If you think it’s convenient to eat at the next-door Cafe Adobe when going to the movies at Marq*E Entertainment Center, think again. Our ‘girls night out’ group arrived at 6:15 p.m. — for a 7:20 movie — to the not even half-full restaurant (Monday night). For the next 45 minutes, our server painfully eked-out our drinks, disappearing between each two or three orders and ignoring our requests to order food. We kept telling him we needed to get to the movie.
“When we finally got to order our food, he came back about 10 minutes later and said the kitchen was running 12 minutes behind. By this time, it was 7:10, so we had to pay and leave. So my dinner was chips, salsa and a beer — wonderful unless you need some protein to keep from feeling awful.
“Oh, and even though we already had our tickets, we were so late, we all had to sit on the front row. Great if you’re 12 years old ... we aren’t.”
Floating umbrellas offer shade on Hola's patio.: Syd Kearney : 29-95
READER RAVES
Carol J. Rhodes: Mancuso’s Hola, 6565 Del Monte, 713-781-4652
Rhodes writes to share a new find from the folks behind Mancuso's Italian Table.
“Get ready to say hOla to Houston’s newest eatery. Tucked away a block east of Voss Road, it offers fresh Central American food, including free-range mesquite-roasted chicken and the world’s best tacos.
“The thing to really like best about hOla is that all of the food is prepared fresh, on-site, using meats, fish and vegetables (that) are delivered in the wee small hours of the morning while the rest of us are still sleeping.
“I predict this small niche in Houston’s vast array of food offerings will be a big hit. Try it and see if you agree.”
Gary Crawford: The Breakfast Klub, 3711 Travis, 713-528-8561
“On Saturday, we treated our daughter to a birthday breakfast at the BK. It was our first visit, but our children had been there before and they highly recommended the place for both the food and the service. Our daughter’s friend ordered Biscuits and Gravy. When our orders arrived hers was not on the platter. When asked, the counter person checked on the order and informed us that they had run out of gravy and it would be 15 minutes before they could complete the order. They offered to let her reorder anything on the menu. After her reorder arrived the hostess stopped and apologized for the inconvenience. She also gave her a $15 gift card, and later the owner came by to make sure we were pleased with our visit. The Breakfast Klub deservedly earns its reputation and we will return.”
Rita Wilkenfeld: Candelari's, 2617 W. Holcombe Blvd., 713-662-2825
“My husband and I went to Candelari’s a couple of weeks ago. We ordered salads and a pizza. Our salads, which were excellent, came promptly, and when we had finished our salads, we were waiting for the pizza and thought it seemed a little bit of a long wait, but didn’t say anything as we were in no hurry. However, the waiter thought it was slow and went to check on it. Although we were not unhappy, the manager came over and told us that because we had been waiting awhile, dinner was on them.
“We said that wasn’t necessary, but she said that there would be no charge and if we came back again and it was slow again, dinner would be on them again.
“This is the way a restaurant should do business and we will go back soon. Other restaurants should take a cue from them.”
FEELING HER PAIN
Helen Mackey writes:
“A big thank you to Julie Berry for lamenting over high-end restaurants that do not enforce a dress code for dinner! It is disappointing to go to a high-end (read expensive), upscale restaurant for a special evening and find diners arriving in shorts, T-shirts and baseball caps — or worse. These same restaurants used to require jackets for men. It’s so disappointing to be seated next to diners who look like they are ready to wash their car instead of partake in fine dining in an elegant setting — with waiters in tux, fine china and crystal, fine wines — and then pay a bill of a couple hundred dollars for two people.
“The only restaurant I know that refuses men and women in shorts and baseball caps is Rudy & Paco in Galveston. I hope that more restaurant owners in Houston will get the message that they lose loyal customers who will seek out places that have a dress code. There are plenty of Houstonians who are complaining about the lack of dress codes in high-end Houston restaurants.”
The Breakfast Klub deservedly earns their reputation -- for what, not knowing how to properly serve a group of diners?
First, kitchen staff should keep serving staff informed of the status of food items. When they are running low, or are out, the serving staff should be informed. Then they should immediately notify the diners who placed the order. The information that the item ordered is not available should not be withheld until the food order is served, and only then giving the diner the option of waiting or choosing something else -- for which they would still have to wait.
Second, if a group of people arrives together, sits together, and orders together, their food should be served together. You don't serve all the diners except one, and expect that one person to sit and wait while everyone around them starts eating.
Of course, proper manners would dictate that all the other diners should wait until the last person was served -- which means that everyone would sit there with their food getting cold.
The gift card was a nice touch, but in my opinion it would not make up for the complete unprofessional food preparation and service.
Thanks for the heads-up on a place to avoid.
txlady1049, wow, I can see having a meal with you is a joy, like having a meal in a prison mess hall.....
In an ideal world, the kitchen would never run out of things and parties would always have their food come out at the same time.
To say that you'll avoid a restaurant because they ran out of gravy and then tried to rectify the situation is ridiculous. I really don't think that you'll find a restaurant anywhere that hasn't run out of an item before.
Austin
obviously you didn't read my post. If you had, you would have known I wasn't saying the restaurant failed in running out of something -- of course this is going to happen.
I'm not going to repost what I said, suffice to say they failed in their responsibility to properly manage the situation when they did run out.
TexMex
Yes, I am actually quite a pleasure to dine with. I love going out to meals with friends and family. But I am not going to sit eating my meal while my companion is staring at the empty spot on the table in front of them.
Apparently, though, you would have no problem gobbling down your food while your companions sat waiting for their order. I would probably not enjoy dining with you, unless we were at a buffet where you can pig out all you want.
You said that it is a restaurant you would avoid based solely on one thing happening to one customer. Are you kidding? If you are joy to dine with, then you obviously get out quite a bit. If you get out in and around the food scene of Houston, you should know all about the BK's reputation as one of the most consistent eateries in the city. Slow the hyperbole just a little.
TXLady1049:
Very well said!
There's a whiner at every diner!
You have obviously never eaten at the Breakfast Klub. You probably would have never gone regardless of this review.
Please do stay away! I love the place and it means there will be more seats for me. :)
Avoiding the place because of one diner's experience? Yes, please stay away. More Klub goodness and happier environment for the rest of us.
I've tried the Breakfast Klub a couple of times, the second was my LAST time. It's trendy "joint" for those looking for quantity and not quality, and don't mind the uncleanliness that the BK offers. On my two trips service was never a priority and on both times food was not delivered at the same time. Tried both the Chicken and Waffles and Omelet, neither were above average, best thing served was the bacon.
Coffee, condiments, and service ware were available at a "station" that hadn't be cleaned all morning; and half the coffee thermoses were empty.
After experiencing BK, I doubt the majority of their patrons are concerned about the etiquette issues you raise, so I think your wasting your breath. I enjoy 'off the path" eclectic places, but this isn't one of them.
Boo at the dress code statement. I don't understand why it affects you in any way what another person wears when they go out to eat. Don't be such a party pooper. Someone could be dressed nice and be loud or do something that would disturb your meal. Enjoy your meal and stop scoffing at other people... geez.
agreed. They're spending as much money as you. If the restaurant will let them in it's their business, not yours. This attitude makes me want to dress down next time I go out just to infuriate these miserable people with nothing better to do.
and it is ironic that a restaurant near the beach won't let you wear shorts....
Rudy & Paco's allows nice shorts at the bar at night and in the entire room during lunch service. The dress code is spelled out clearly on their website.
The dress code is well-founded. Rudy & Paco's has white table clothes, refined fare and outstanding service. And many nights the restaurant is filled with well-dressed diners who are headed to the Grand Opera after dinner.
That makes more sense.....
The Pelican Club at Gaido's also has a dress code. Men must wear jackets. They have jackets available for those who arrive not properly dressed.
Brennan's here in Houston also requires a dress code. The New Orleans Brennan's is not quite as stick in the mud. I tried to take my husband there for sunday brunch - it was father's day AND his 40th birthday. I we showed up in plenty of time for our reservation and we were not permitted to be seated as my husband was wearing a pressed pair of shorts and a button-down collared shirt. They did not let us in due to the shorts. Needless to say, we have never gone back.
Well done Brennans.
Here's the thing, Gat. It's not the golf club. At 40 he should know better.
Brennan's in New Orleans is poorly served by its French Quarter location where streams of shorts-wearing tourists have dozens of options for dining. I'd liken Brennan's of Houston more to Commander's Palace, one of the Brennan family's other New Orleans restaurant. It adheres -- with good reason -- to a very strict dress code.
Bravo Brennan's. You need to head over to Joe's Crab Shack, they'll welcome you with open arms and loud music...
Those who boo dress codes usually lack the class to understand them.
Dress codes have a social significance. Usually, a dress code indicates a more civilized establishment.
You see, I'd rather not see your hairy armpits, tattoos, or gross feet when I'm paying top dollar for my meal.
I'll bet the folks who deride dress codes for restaurants have no problem with them for clubs.
Well then it sounds like you should do your dining at a private restaurant, not a public one. There are many fine country clubs that will be happy to enforce the dress code. Since you are obviously very in-tune with the social significance of fine dining, I can only assume that you are already a member of multiple country clubs which allow you to maximize your socializing opportunities. So why were you "slumming it" at a restaurant that is beneath your social status? Either eat at the country club, or don't complain.
A snob by any other color...
Rude. It's not a lack of class, just personal preference. For some people, spending top dollar at a place with a dress code makes them feel civilized and classy. But having those personal preferences shouldn't be a reason to look down on people that are more interested in enjoying their meal than in looking at the people around them.
OR maybe they look down on them as someone who have no respect for the establishment and think they are too special to follow the rules? ONe time as kids, we wanted to go eat at a high end restaurant and was told jacket and tie for men, and dresses or nice pants suits for women. We were 17. Know what we did? We followed the rules. We went to a thrift store and each bought a $2 outfit. Why? Because we were being respectful of the establishment and everyone else eating there.
I've never had a problem blissfully ignoring other diner's feet and armpit areas whilst eating. The only thing difficult to ignore are loud children and people on their cell phones, which are sadly present even in the suit and tie crowd.
We have to remember that a "fancy" or "expensive" restaurant to us might be the regular place for someone else. I know it seems odd, but there are people who can afford to eat $100 plates multiple times a week.
Yes, there was a time (ironically when the US economy and wages were considered at their "peak" - 1950's-60's) when even rich people couldn't afford to eat at high end places frequently. And for the middle class, these places were rare and special occassions. (Yes, despite what you have heard from the party of class warfare, "poor" people today have more than the middle class did back then when you look at tvs, cars, house size, electronics, access to food, medical care - nearly every single metric).
The point is we can't assume that any place is really "fancy" to everyone.
If a place is really fancy, how can you even see the other people? Are you crammed in there where you are rubbing up against them? Then how fancy is the place?
Having said all that, no one likes a slob or a snob. Some need to dress a little better and just as many need to mind their own business and stop acting like you own the place.
Last time I dined out, the man at table right next to mine took off his flip flips, crossed his legs, and waived his naked foot within 1 inch of my table. The maitre d' saw this with a look of shock, then said nothing. There need to be some standards.
Not following dress code shows you disrespect all the other patrons and the establishment. What people wear, including the patrons and the waitstaff, affects the atmosphere and if you are going to high-end, besides the food, you are paying for atmosphere. How would you feel if you were in a high end place and your waiter had flip flops and shorts on and the rest of the staff had on black jackets and button down shirts and black pants? ON a whole Americans are frumpy and sloppy when it comes to appearance. I wish people would take a little bit more pride in their appearance (I need to do this too).
Sometimes it's nice to dress up and enjoy an fancy meal in a fine dining establishment. I really do miss the days when places had a dress code that they enforced more strictly because I feel like a lot of nice restaurants are being dragged down due to allowing customers to come in with casual attire. So I fully support the need for a dress code and if i'm going to spend the money, and it's a special occasion or something then call me crazy but I not only want to dine in an establishment with a more upscale ambiance but I expect patrons to also treat it respectfully and dress nicer when dining there. Do yall remember the days when people actually dressed up when shopping at the Galleria back in the early 90s? I do, and I miss that.
I think its funny that so many women gripe about how people dress when they are out to eat. If you're so sensitive about appearances that how a stranger dresses can distress you, then perhaps your next foray out should be to a psychiatrist. I'm sure there's a pill for that.
Minding ones own business USED to be good manners too; so those slovenly hoardes are not the ONLY ones in need of a good dose of proper ettiquette.
You are obviously young and have an appalling lack of manners. If you want to eat in shorts and flip flops, go to a casual dining establishment. IF you want to eat with grownups at a nice place, at least dress appropriately. You obviously have no consideration for others and lack the common sense to dress appropriately.
If you want to go to a restaurant with a dress code, I suggest you have the 'common sense' to call ahead and verify the enforcement before allowing total strangers to upset you so profoundly. Getting mad at people for doing what they have the freedom to do and are permitted to do is inconsiderate, rude and flat out stupid.
And what may be 'fine dining' to you...may be casual to someone else.
******
LOL...if 47 years old is young, well then, I guess I am. I like to think that I'm mature enough to know that looks can be deceiving..and that dressing up means you have class. As evidenced by the catty women complaining about the couture of a complete stranger offending their oh-so-delicate sensitivities with the vitrol and cattiness of a decidely UN-delicate fishwife.
****
I spent many a year in the family of a very 'Tony' family...and suffice it to say if there is a choice between eating next to a hawaiian shirt, short and flip flop wearing couple and an bejeweled, Chanel perfumed, and Armani wearing couple...seat me next to the flipflop family. Those Armani types are absolutely ZERO fun and much more judgemental than any other type of people I've ever seen.
Your post exemplifies that more than anything else.
I think you're confusing elitism and snobbery with common courtesy. Dressing nicely for a special dinner in an expensive, elegant, upscale restaurant is simply the decent thing to do. Disregarding the tone set by the restaurant and disrespecting fellow diners who took the trouble to dress appropriately is truly the height of "inconsiderate, rude and flat-out stupid." It's quite selfish, really, and it rather distresses me that a 47-year-old person hasn't figured that out yet.
Bet you want to smoke at the table too!!!
Maybe being young has something to do with it. Our generation has grown up where don't need to dress up to go shop at a mall or eat in a good restaurant. I do like to be surrounded by people who are well dressed but it doesn't really bother me if folks are in shorts and a baseball hat. I am there to eat and if the food and service is good, I am a happy...I would suggest country clubs and the few select restaurants. Maybe going to a glitzy city where dress code is enforced is a better idea too.
Have to agree with Helen. Of course these days people eat out everyday...decades past, it would be a treat for everyone.
These days most restaurants don't care...follow the money.
Everyone has personal freedom, but that freedom only means you can behave and dress the way you choose as long as you're willing to face the consequences. A restaurant is typically private property and as long as they aren't discriminating due to a protected class such as race, gender, disability, etc. they can refuse service. If they have a dress code, you don't have to abide by it, but, that's your choice; and if the establishment wants to enforce it, that's their choice, they have that freedom.
Remember, everyone in that establishment can reflect its reputation. Regardless of your beliefs on the matter, a gentleman attempts to dress and act appropriate to the situation.
Thank you for that, Jeff. Well said.
Our recent experience at the Willowbrook Movie Tavern, which is one of the concepts at which you should be able to enjoy dinner while watching the movie, was pretty bad. Several movies started within 15-20 minutes of each other and, considering they are understaffed to begin with, that meant when you placed your order you received your drink 45 minutes after the movie started and the food an hour and a half into the movie.....and cold.
It's such a great idea and could be very sucessful if it was done right.
I don't know how out of the way one of the Studio Movie Grills would be for you, but I'm a fan. I see everything but art house films there. I've long since run out of the free time to have dinner and then a movie.
SMG has tweaked their menu in the past year -- the quality isn't quite as it had been in the beginning -- but it is still better than it has to be. And the staff -- I can only vouch for the CityCentre location -- is very helpful.
I have been meaning to give them a try. Out of convenience we've always gone to Movie Tavern.
I can also vouch for the CityCentre location. Whenever Groupon has a deal for SMG, I snag one or two. Great service, good food, and sometimes we will pick a reserved seat so we don't have to get there early and wait in line. After the movie there are a lot of nice places in the complex to hang out and have another drink.
I tried SMG, but I couldn't deal with the fact that their seating was office chairs. I was hearing squeaking from people shifting in their seats all during the movie.
I've been to the Movie Tavern in Humble several times and never had an issue. Also, gone to the SMG at City Centre quite a few times and again no issues. Think SMG has better food but always found both to be more than acceptable.
FYI, there's a Groupon which came out today for Studio Movie Grill, $6 for a movie ticket and soft drink
Thanks Lloyd!
Cafe Adobe. So you arrive at 6:15 for your meal. You can always expect 10-15 minutes to get your drinks and order. So now it's 6:30 and you just ordered. Give it 20 minutes to get your food and it's 6:50. Another 20 minutes to cram it down and 5-10 minutes to tab out and it's now 7:20. You're late for your movie and it's not even the restaurants fault. Any kind of a delay and you're way late - which sounds like what happened. Seems kind of unfair to write up a bad restaurant experience when you didn't allow enough time to begin with.
I had the same thought. I'd never allow myself that little time at a restaurant just because it's next door to the theater. The poster also mentioned not having tickets and having to sit on the front row. That means she wasn't even allowing that full hour at the restaurant but probably closer to 30-45 minutes.
Next time allow an extra 20-30 minutes for dinner and buy your tickets online before you go.
Exactly. Was going to say that myself.
My thought was that 6:15 is the beginning of the dinner rush. Add to that the folks who come by for a few margaritas after work. An hour for dinner is pushing it, even if you just have to walk 100 feet to the theater lobby.
Helen,
What's up with this class warfare, can't we just get along?
I can't understand why so many people are having an issue with asking patrons to dress decently at a higher end restaurant? My enjoyment of a meal is predicated on the crowd around me, but when I go to someplace like Perry's or Flemings with my wife for a nice meal, I would never think of going in shorts or, god forbid, a ball cap. As for the "It's Houston, dummy" crowd.., most good restaurants have this miracle called air conditioning. Wear your shorts if you want to eat on the patio, but there really is no call to look like a slob.
As to C.J.'s whine...you allowed a whole 1:05 minutes from walking in to the start of a movie? That's fine if you're going for fast food, but even casual dining doesn't need to be cut that close. The server should have been more responsive, but (in my opinion) you didn't leave enough time to eat, get into the theater, and get good seats.
AMEN! Finally a sane comment about the dress code issue - why are people so butthurt about these folk's comments about needing a dress code at fancy places?
Is it really so much to expect a nice experience at a nice restaurant? I love my shorts and flip flops as much as the next gal, but I think that outfit is better saved for the many causal places I frequent for dinner and not for date night at Marks. It kills the vibe when people look slobby and act crazy!
No one is 'butthurt' over the dress code issue but the snotties who allow the dress of others offend them to the point that they don't enjoy their dinner.
Those of us who don't care how someone we don't even know (and will most likely never see again anyway) don't give total strangers THAT much power over our lives.
Like I said before, letting strangers have that much profound power over your life experiences is indicative of some serious emotional and mental issues. Get thee to a psychiatrist; I'm sure there's a pill for that.
No sweetie, those poorly dressed people don't have "power" over others - they just look stupid. Really stupid. And show that they lack common courtesy, which is not my problem - it's theirs. It's not about being a "snottie" (whatever that is!), it's about having some class and dressing appropriately for the venue. If you don't want to do that, it's your problem! You're not going to ruin my night, but I am absolutely going to make fun of you on the car ride home.
TxLADY
You obviously have never worked in a restaurant or bar setting. Its not the counter/order takers fault that the kitchen ran out of a particular item. The restaurant was accomadating in this instance and gave the diners a free $15 gift card for the wait. You are obviously one of those type of diners that cant be pleased or helped no matter what the staff does to facilitate your having a pleasant dining experience. Its ppl like you TxLady that make me glad I dont have to deal with the public any longer.
see what happens when you assume?
I worked for years in the food and beverage industry.
And again -- you did not completely read and comprehend my post.
You are obviously one of those types of readers who skims through something, getting barely a grasp of the entire concept of what's been written, and composing what you think are stinging responses. However, since your response is based on misconception and assumptions on your part, they have no impact on me whatsoever.
I stand by my statement, which you may have understood if you read it completely, that it was the KITCHEN STAFFs responsibility to inform the SERVING STAFF that they were out of something. The SERVER should not have waited until serving everyone else in the group to then inform the unlucky diner that their food order couldn't be filled for 15 minutes, thus making ONE person in the entire group sit there waiting, while the rest of the group was served.
(I put some of the words in all caps to make them stand out, so maybe you wouldn't miss them this time around.)
It's people like you who make me glad that I don't have to teach reading comprehension.
You should probably give yourself a full hour to eat at any restaurant that seats you and it's hardly the fault of Cafe Adobe that you had to sit on the front row in the theater. You should probably plan ahead and give yourself a full 2 hours to eat and get good seats. Works for me everytime, isn't that something.
RE: Cafe Adobe. I would not show up with a group at any restaurant at 6:15 and expect to have dinner and be at the theatre (even if next door) for a 7:20 movie. That's poor planning. If you are willing to chance it, then you should order the food at the same time as the drinks. Still, I feel your frustration for having a waiter who was oblivious to doing his job promptly. 45 minutes of waiting to order is absolutely ridiculous!
C.J. Yeoman, let me guess, you were going to see "Magic Mike" on opening day, and you thought no one else was going to see it as well, so you did not buffer your meal/movie times, get over it , eat some skittles, and enjoy the show....
to be fair...she said it was a Monday., so it wasnt opening night.
That being said...i still think its ridiculous to alot only 1 hour between restaurant arrival and movie start time. especially for a party of 5 or 6, at a chain that is always seemingly packed
Perhaps she didnt allot enough time, but that doesnt excuse the restaurant from the poor service. Restaurants can make a lot of money through a higher turnover, and catering to a party that wants an in/out experience should be on the restaurant's priority list. It helps both parties. The restaurant is definately at fault in this situation.
Adobe is always slow at westhiemer and I-10, bUt an hour and 5 minutes is not enough time even at a Luby's. Think before you drink&dine.
Breakfats Club had the same happen years ago & at other businesses, yes the kitchen should communicate better but when you pay McDonalds wages you get McDonalds service.
Nice Restaurants are just that NICE. No screaming kids, no cell phones, no drunk idiots, no inappropriate dress for any place. If you want to eat in shorts and wearing a hat go to taco bell. they love you there.
If you smoke please wash after, nothing worse than sitting near someone who just Keith Richardsed a Marlboro Red at the front door because they cant wait a couple hours.
Be kind to all, not just yourself. there are others out there too.
I totally agree that Houston could use more high-end restaurants with dress codes. Condemning dress codes because other patrons may be loud, have horse laughs, make/take cell phone calls or are also spending a lot of money isn't a justification. Dressing appropriately for the setting shows respect for yourself and others, and apparently there are a lot of people out there whose mothers never taught them basic manners. That's also apparent in the childish "flame" comments people make on these threads. If you disagree, say so & state your reasons, but telling someone to take a pill, or equivalent, says a lot about you--it tells me that you think you're really clever and funny, but to me the comments are just asinine.
Oh, I'm sorry. Perhaps I should have said, "have a drink" instead.
However...your 'asinine' comment is pretty funny coming from someone who doesn't even have the nerve to put their name in their post. Hard to take someone 'anonymous' seriously. Blah, blah, blah.
You also assume alot...like so many on this thread. You think that because someone thinks there should be a dress code that there should be, and it dang well better be YOUR dress code...and you get upset at the wardrobe of total strangers to the point you can't enjoy a meal? You think wardrobe tells you THAT much about a person?
You'd have a fit if you ever visited my place of work. You could never tell that our clients are as wealthy as they are..esp when they come in dressed in a dirty coverall and work boots (Jerry J Moore) or a Walmart Dickies jumper (a car dealership owner)..or just disheveled, wrinkly, clothes (a very notable psychiatrist) behind the wheel of a six figure vehicle.
Oh, and just so you know..being able to disregard the wardrobe of other people is not indicative of bad or lack of ettiquette. A lot of us have been schooled extensively in it...and know that part of good, proper ettiquette is NOT allowing the lack of it to affect our own behavior.
I guess a LOT of people on this thread failed that part of it..if they even got beyond how to dress and which fork to use when.
We're not talking about wealthy people and their fashion choices, and we're not talking about your place of work. And none of this is about making assumptions about the social backgrounds of fellow diners. It's much more simple than that: By dressing appropriately, we show respect for the venue, the occasion and fellow patrons.
I remember going to Brennan's in New Orleans for the first time, for brunch. We were a group of 4 in shorts, t-shirts & flip flops. Had no idea it was a nice place until we started noticing the people behind us waiting to be seated...in what amounted to church clothes. Went to our seats & EEEK!! We were so out of place & felt so weird. It wasn't intentional. And the wait staff didn't say a word to us or treat us differently, but the patrons sure had some "looks" for us. Thank god a woman with a screaming baby came in & took all the pressure off! LOL.
New Orleans is a different type of town & the Brennan's do know how to treat their clientele. We also had a faux pas at Mr. B's. The wait staff was dressed better than us, but we had the best time. We do dress a little better now that we know.
Dress codes are really another beast in the French Quarter of New Orleans, home to both Mr. B's and the original Brennan's. Clueless tourists -- and I include my 20-something self -- do stumble into nice restaurants in inappropriate garb. Much like Texans, New Orleanians are loathe to judge and their DNA tells them to welcome all.
A glutton for bad weather, I've been known to take advantage of their hospitality -- and relaxed dress code -- during many an August visit.
I cannot understand the thinking of people that how you are dressed to dine out at a nice restaurant isn't important. Used to be that dining out and attending church would be of similar attire. Would you wear shorts, T's and baseball caps to church? I would hope not. I know it's not supposed to matter what you wear as long as you are there, but I would hope you would dress nice out of respect. Remember that word?
I cannot understand how people still think that dressing nicely IS so important. We're taught that our actions, not-NOT our appearance, define who we are. The actions I see on this thread (and the one preceding it) prove that people who dress up assume they are better schooled, better mannered, and better all around than those who don't...and all they end up sounding like is a lot of snotty people. If my 'casual' attire offends someone I don't know...well, if it was good enough for the restaurant to seat and serve me...then who gives a hoot n holler what the Chanel snob next to me thinks? Offending someone so 'uppity' would simply be the icing on the cake to me.
(And, just so you know...I attend a rather large church in Clear Lake--and at our contemporary service you will see people in various states of dress, esp in summer. Sunday best, and tank top/ shorts, flip flops. We don't think God discriminates...so why would we?)
Your quote: "people who dress up assume they are better schooled, better mannered, and better all around than those who don't..." Yes, I do indeed consider myself better mannered than you, because I know how to dress appropriately when the situation calls for it. I may not be richer, older or more successful than you, but I have drawn the conclusion that I am better mannered.
Dressing nicely is an action, and actions -- as you say -- define who we are. Thank you for pointing that out.
Silly boy. Don't you know that getting dressed is an action? And yes, most people are judged by their actions?
Two things....
1) I agree that the movie goers should have given themselves more time. I always give myself at least one and a half hours for a simple meal if I have someplace to be right after or I just get drinks before the movie and grab a late dinner or snack afterwards.
2) As for dress code, I once moved into an apartment in the Mid-town area just before it all became a big restaurant and bar area. My fiance and I had spent the entire day unpacking and we wanted to go grab a bite to eat within walking distance and we were unfamiliar with the area. (We were in overalls and jeans and very dusty) We ended up in the strip where Charivari is located and tried the bar that is there but they didn't serve food. We then walked over to Charivari not knowing about the place and when we walked in we saw that is was quite a bit fancier than we were dressed for. We were turning to leave when the owner came over and graciously offered to still serve us. We apologized for our appearance explaining the recent move to the area and he said that didn't matter that they would love to serve us and give us a proper welcome to the area. We sat down and had a wonderful meal and will always remember the great hospitality of that day.
Point is...you never know why someone may be dressed the way they are dressed or what their situation may be. If they can pay for the meal, are being respectful and not disruptive to others, then it shouldn't matter how they are dressed.
Cafe Adobe blows, they always have. Overpriced and mediocre food.
Actually the food used to be good before Beau Theriot sold the place...
Actually, we HAD our tickets for the movie.
Dear C.J. - Cafe Adobe is not a rush rush place. You would have been better off ordering nachos at the theatre. I love Cafe Adobe and can't wait to return for some great Mexican food.
Mexican food? Hardly. The slop they serve at Cafe Adobe barely qualifies as Tex-Mex.
We often go to Cafe Adobe before seeing a movie next door. We buy our tickets first then go sit in the Cafe Adobe bar for nachos and a margarita. I don't think we've ever arrived at the restaurant with just an hour and five minutes before the movie started. That is just not realistic, especially for a full meal.
to the complaint about Cafe Adobe:
shame on you for blaiming others for your time management skills. Never expect to have diner and drinks with 5 others within one hour and then go to a movie (especially with girls). Its not Cafe Adobe's fault you sat on the front row, it's yours for not walking out when the service was lacking or for not sending someone (or a few) from your crew to grab seats. Only you can blaim yourself, but it seems all you want to do is put the fault on everything else.
It's very telling and sad that there are so many comments regarding the dress code issue that come to the same basic conclusion; if you can afford to pay - nothing else matters. That attitude is purely recent American and embodies so much else that is wrong with our culture and country today. Respect, manners, attitude, and appropriateness don't matter to most as long as there is enough money at hand. While there will always be some blowhard obnoxious fool in a suit, it is STILL true that most people (children included) are on their best (at least better) behavior when they are "dressed up". It's partly why we, at least most of us, wear our nicer threads when we go to church, weddings, funerals, job interviews, to meet the future in-laws, and even to fancy restaurants. Some people (not all) clearly have no respect for others or the occasion and show up in shorts and flip flops when they know better. Their arrogance and self-importance gets in the way of their judgement; which is why we've seen grown men in khaki shorts and sandals at formal events, men in t shirts at dinner on formal nights on cruises, and people who show up in jeans at formal weddings. Too many people think that if they pay MONEY, that they should be able to do whatever the hell they want; that they've given enough just by blessing us all with their attendance. They're wrong. Most of them just need to grow up.
I agree.
I agree with IndianPaintBrush.
I think that if I am paying for my meal then I should be able to dress to a level that both I and the restaurant are comfortable with. What is arrogant and self-important is to think that by paying more for your meal you are somehow buying the right to tell everyone else how to dress.
Here-here.
Amen!
So she actually allowed less than an hour for the meal if she wanted to get to the theater in time to get a good seat. How many were in the party? If more than 6, she should have allowed even MORE time. Granted, once informed of the time constraints, the waiter should have hopped to it, but then again, the diners should have informed him as soon as they sat down that they had to be out of there by a certain time.
For a movie and dinner night, may I suggest seeing the movie first, THEN going to dinner? No need to rush and you get to talk about the movie, along with any other topics. Works for me when we ladies have our GNO and it never fails!
Cafe Adobe in Sugarland has decent food...But it's never crowded. Makes me wonder how they stay in business?????
I have a possible solution to this ongoing 'dress code' feud; before you make reservations, ask the restaurant if they have a dress code. If they do, you will know what to expect, and if not, again you will know what to expect. It's not up to the customer to make another customer happy. I don't go to restaurants much but when I do I like to call ahead to make sure things which are important to me are addressed. Like parking or signature dishes, if I have never been there before, or when a certain cook or chef is working if I know one who is excellent. Point is, I do my homework and don't complain about someone else if I forget something.
If the dress matters, you can plan for it ahead.
Arriving at 6:15 for a 7:20 movie...probably isn't enough time. Also, I was always taught that a lot of what makes a "fancy" restaurant is that it is the presentation of the food, the quality of the ingredients, and the technique of the chef. You are supposed to let your waiter educate you on what you are about to eat. Its very much about the experience, not simply satiating your hunger. Personally, I would be very embarrassed if I turned up at Mark's, for example, wearing shorts and a casual tee.
txlady1049 you sound like a very bitter person. I agree with one of the post above I would never want to have dinner with you. Just because someone had 1 bad experience you bash that place. Why dont you experience the resturant first and then make your own opinion. I bet you any kind of money if you tried BK you would enjoy the food and the service. They eventually made up for running out of gravy by letting them choose whatever else on the menu and also a gift card. You say everyone is not reading your statement and skimming thru it, but everyone that has commented on your statment have said the same thing. I think you should take a step back, breathe and stop bashing places you have no idea about. How are you going to judge a place when you have never been there. That makes no sense, so go get a life instead of bashing a famous resturants in Houston.
"Dinner and a movie ... no such luck thanks to Cafe Adobe"....the Comicle should be ashamed to post this online headline! It is clearly the fault of the diner who failed to plan accordingly..."Poor Planning" should be the headline...
If you guys are trying to leave in a hurry, you should look for restaurants that accept Tabbedout. My friend went to Royal Oak the other night and had a drink and dinner there, used Tabbedout to pay on her phone, and then went over to the Landmark theatre in River Oaks. I hear their shrimp & grits are good. They also have truffle fries that are dangerously good.
Nick
@Tabbedout