Dear Red Plate, Hartford

Dear “Red Plate”

I write to you today to discuss my experience on Friday, October 19th, from 12-12:45pm, where I attended a lunch meeting with my boss. This was my 4th time visiting your establishment. (I’ve been eating at your restaurant every Friday for the past 4 weeks)

Without a doubt – I must say that your food is great. Your selection of salads is better than any other restaurant in Hartford. In the past, I’ve typically gone to City Steam, Mayor Mikes, Agave, Vito’s, etc etc – but it wasn’t until I went to “the former red plate” that I truly found several salads that I enjoyed.

With my salad, I typically enjoy a cocktail of a shot of standard vodka, with seltzer and a lemon – all in a pint glass.

Now, the first 3 times I’ve been to your restaurant, I’ve been charged $4 for this drink, which I thought was very cheap (but I wasn’t one to complain).But, on 10/19, I was charged $10 a drink (I had two – total $20). The bill stated “double shot” of stoli for $12, plus $4 for two “misc” drinks. The total - $20.

Now, I completely understand if I was charged incorrectly for my drink the first 3 (THREE) times I visited your restaurant. That’s okay. And, if the correct price of the cocktail was $10 – well – it’s $5 at Mayor Mikes and $6 at agave – your prices are high.

But – I can’t really shake that fact that Nicole, the waitress, wasn’t exactly all that professional/pleasant when I inquired about why the cost of my drink “more than doubled” from $4 to $10. So hence – zero tip for her.

As I left, I was approached by another employee (male, did not introduce himself) who gave an honest true effort to alleviate the situation. Frankly – I was running late, and had no time to discuss the bill or hash out the charges. Unfortunately, this individual pulled my boss aside to discuss, and he (my boss) just kinda said “I’m not involved. Keep me out”. This was very embarrassing to me, and my boss.

Overall, I don’t care if I was mistakenly charged for a drink – whether it be on 10/19, or the past 3 times I was here. But, what bothers me most is the fact that Nicole had an attitude, and the male individual pulled my boss aside to discuss the bill. Frankly – an error was made at some point – but it’s not my problem to rectify it. I kindly and professionally mentioned it to Nicole – and she did nothing except tell me to “talk to the bartender”.

Overall, I feel your restaurant needs to thoroughly hash out the prices of your drinks, and make that well known to your employees. Because, I must admit – for awhile, the former “Red Plate” was becoming my new favorite restaurant. But now, it’s reputation has been tarnished, and I will not be going back anytime soon.

-David