John's Place

[mat]

Wow - unless another thread is hiding in some obscure forum, VV doesn't seem to have any discussion on John's Place, Pandora Ave.

When it opened in the 80's my friends would always gather there for Sunday brunch, and I often see line ups on Sunday mornings if we drive by.

We have been a few times over the last 4 years - it's always friendly, the food is decent, and the prices really reasonable. Our son loves it for the sports posters and juke box.

The father's day gift was a night off cooking (yep - kitchen is my domain in this household), and John's Place was accepted by everyone. The first indication of a problem was the table next to us - a family complaining over some dish or other, then another table...

My 'Wizard of Orzo' seafood pasta tasted fine - the shell fish not over cooked, the shrimps perfectly pink and the orzo pasta al dente. However, the small bits of broken mussel shells throughout mean a trip to the dentist tomorrow . My wife's tuna salad was so overwhelmed with dressing it leaked from the bottom of the tortilla shell, and smothered what is usually a nice dish. Our son's hamburger was cold, and the fries too greasy to eat. The South African wine and starter of spring rolls were excellent.

So - not great, and amid all the fuss from other tables, we simply mentioned the various problems only after our server asked, rather than join in the on going complaint process. When I went up to the till area to get the bill and pay - our server refused any payment (not even for the wine), or accept an offered tip for HER service (which was excellent - not her fault the food failed).

[endayliner]

Sorry to hear about the food. Is John's Other Place still around?

[yodsaker]

Respect for the customer is always a winner.

[mat]

Originally Posted by endayliner

Sorry to hear about the food. Is John's Other Place still around?

I think that one closed a while ago.

[mat]

Originally Posted by yodsaker

Respect for the customer is always a winner.

Yep - and respect for the server gets completely free meals (and wine) for 3!

Despite the actual food experience we will return. Whether it is the restaurant's policy or not, the fact that server comped the entire bill, without us really complaining or asking for discounts/special treatment is deserving a mention. She went out of her way to recognize the problems, note them for the kitchen and not offer excuses.

[yodsaker]

Glad to hear you'll give them another try.
That kind of response deserves a 2nd chance.

[VicDuck]

Wish i get service like that when i have a bad restaurant experience.

[Holden West]

Comping a whole meal requires management approval in just about every restaurant I'm familiar with. Comping all the alcohol is practically unheard of in all but the most extreme circumstances. Sounds like the whole place was in clusterf*ck mode that night and management decided to write the evening off. Or the server took the initiative to right things herself, in that case there's a serious disconnect between the front lines and management.

I wouldn't necessarily look too much into this. Simply having a couple of cooks call in sick is enough to trigger a FUBAR night like that.

[G-Man]

Comping alcohol is actually a violation of BC Liquor Law.

[Holden West]

^Oh, that's right. A bartender can't even give you "one on the house".

[mat]

That's why I offered to pay for the wine!! I thought comping alcohol was illegal - anyway, it was obviously a bad night for the restaurant, and the server did her best to resolve the problems.

[LJ]

Originally Posted by Holden West

^Oh, that's right. A bartender can't even give you "one on the house".

Really?

I often get "comped" drinks. Don't think I will mention to them it is illegal.

[G-Man]

Yeah most people don't

[VicHockeyFan]

Originally Posted by G-Man

Comping alcohol is actually a violation of BC Liquor Law.

Actually, that is not true. In the liquor laws handbook, it specifically says you can comp the "occasional" drink. What you wouldn't be allowed to do is print a coupon to be clipped out of the paper for a free drink.

Read all about it here:

http://www.eia.gov.bc.ca/lclb/public...uorPrimary.pdf

[mat]

Originally Posted by VicHockeyFan

Actually, that is not true. In the liquor laws handbook, it specifically says you can comp the "occasional" drink. What you wouldn't be allowed to do is print a coupon to be clipped out of the paper for a free drink.

Read all about it here:

http://www.eia.gov.bc.ca/lclb/public...uorPrimary.pdf

VHF - thanks for the clarification. Seems to be some confusion around Victoria on the regulation. After asking 2 barkeeps/servers at different pubs (yes - one of THOSE days) neither had your correct answer.

[VicHockeyFan]

Originally Posted by mat

VHF - thanks for the clarification. Seems to be some confusion around Victoria on the regulation. After asking 2 barkeeps/servers at different pubs (yes - one of THOSE days) neither had your correct answer.

I'm guessing the average server is not up-to-date on the hand-book, it is obviously much more comprehensive than the Serving It Right course. I read the thing cover to cover a few times every year.