A diner from Providence RI
Jul 8, 2010
I was so excited to see this place open: great space, an owner with previous experience, great beers on tap! However, it appears that, no matter how much literal experience one may have, one cannot learn common sense. I say this with the utmost respect. I really do! I'm not sure who does the staff scheduling, but whoever decides the number of staff (service & bar) should be either replaced or trained.
Every time I've ever been there for a special event (Bar Plays, music outside or in) there is NEVER enough staff!! I went for Bar Plays just a few weeks ago. This was a HUGE event, drawing a HUGE, excited crowd! How many bar keeps did she put on? ONE. One lonely, overworked soul to attend to ALL the bar sitters AND the hundred or so seated folks AND the 30 or so standing. Someone (a friend of the place, not a staff person) had stepped in to help with waiting on tables. What a sweet guy (James)! He needs to be on staff PERMANENTLY. He had the orders in and drinks out to us quicker than I've ever had there before. And, despite the sardine effect, he was in good spirits!
Also, I've seen SO much drama behind the bar with the staff! I don't know why Leah hires so many people without boundaries..You can hear ALL about their woes (personal and inter-staff) if you sit at the bar. I've explained it to myself this way: Leah hires friends. These friends may or may not care about waiting on you. These friends become frustrated often, because they are usually short staffed, especially during busy events. (I would, too!). These friends all talk to each other like siblings (the good, bad & ugly) and are unaware that patrons can hear them.
Love the space, love the idea of the place, but the food is mostly mediocre, and the service leaves much to be desired, most of the time. I don't recommend going there for special events - you will wait a very long time to get served and will wince with empathy, when you see how understaffed they are. Leah, please replace the person who does the scheduling! Use your years of experience to guide you. Thanks! A neighbor who cares.
Every time I've ever been there for a special event (Bar Plays, music outside or in) there is NEVER enough staff!! I went for Bar Plays just a few weeks ago. This was a HUGE event, drawing a HUGE, excited crowd! How many bar keeps did she put on? ONE. One lonely, overworked soul to attend to ALL the bar sitters AND the hundred or so seated folks AND the 30 or so standing. Someone (a friend of the place, not a staff person) had stepped in to help with waiting on tables. What a sweet guy (James)! He needs to be on staff PERMANENTLY. He had the orders in and drinks out to us quicker than I've ever had there before. And, despite the sardine effect, he was in good spirits!
Also, I've seen SO much drama behind the bar with the staff! I don't know why Leah hires so many people without boundaries..You can hear ALL about their woes (personal and inter-staff) if you sit at the bar. I've explained it to myself this way: Leah hires friends. These friends may or may not care about waiting on you. These friends become frustrated often, because they are usually short staffed, especially during busy events. (I would, too!). These friends all talk to each other like siblings (the good, bad & ugly) and are unaware that patrons can hear them.
Love the space, love the idea of the place, but the food is mostly mediocre, and the service leaves much to be desired, most of the time. I don't recommend going there for special events - you will wait a very long time to get served and will wince with empathy, when you see how understaffed they are. Leah, please replace the person who does the scheduling! Use your years of experience to guide you. Thanks! A neighbor who cares.
