A most unwelcoming restaurant

I was in a major New Zealand city on a Friday night with my business partner looking for somewhere pleasant to eat with good food – we weren’t looking for “cheap”, and happy to pay for a quality meal.

Then we spotted this sign outside a restaurant offering German Beer, and Swiss wine “from ” $17.50 a glass. That really intrigued us – never seen anyone touting for passing trade with wine at that price, and “from” too. Perhaps Swiss wine is highly regarded in this city, and patrons will be enticed inside by such a cheap price!

So we went to look closer at the menu.

The prices weren’t cheap, but this is New Zealand where eating out can often be expensive.  At the bottom of the page, the rules of the house were clearly spelt out – even highlighted WOW!

* Minimum 2 entrees or 1 main course per person

* Last seating 7:30pm ( Perhaps the owner/chef needs to be in bed by 9pm?)

But it got better – or worse.

Dress Code applies (Discretion of the owner).  So he will look me over before I am allowed entry? I looked at my attire. So what is acceptable? Perhaps I should return to my nearby hotel and don a suit? I totally agree that there should be dress codes, but tell me what is not allowed – thongs, t-shirts with offensive slogans, singlets…

The Bistro is not suitable for children . Yes, they can be noisy little buggers! But I suspect the real reason is that they won’t consume enough food (or wine).

But the best is yet to come.

Do not touch. Do not break the flowers!

So if you are asked to leave because of your attire, failure to order sufficient from the menu, or arrive at 7:35pm,  please don’t take it out on the poor flowers……Fair enough.  🙂

Whilst we were reading all the information a few others came by, read it all, had a laugh, and moved on – equally bemused as we were.

There was one person dining, with what we suspect was the owner/chef hovering nearby, looking anxiously outside for more patrons at this prime time on a Friday night.

Like the others, we moved on and found an excellent and welcoming Chinese restaurant around the corner which was also a BYO.

Why are some in the hospitality industry so inhospitable? Read another blog on the same theme  – it will really stun you and give you a laugh – or cry. It’s called  “Check out by 10am – or else!!”