A diner from Mount Juliet, TN
Jan 26, 2010
No Way José
In the summer of 2009 my wife and I shared a wonderful evening of smiling faces, extraordinary wines and beautiful, perfect food at a new bistro in Mount Juliet called Bicyclette.
During the blissful romance we were sharing between ourselves and the food, I happened to glance over and notice that there was underway the construction of what I perceived to be a very promising establishment. The dining room looked to be well on its way to achieving a rustic South American feel with an open patio that spoke of wonderful future evenings of spicy Latino dishes, cold beer, and warm breezes.
This place turned out to be José’s Gourmet Grill of Mount Juliet.
I abstained from the new establishment in an effort to allow the kinks and newness to dissipate. My wife, on the other hand, had tried it, and begged me not to waste my time and my short fuse.
On this particularly warm January Friday night, however, I was craving a dish of ceviche, the only thing that I can depend on to transport me to the humid, beautiful summer nights of the greatest place in the world; the southeastern region of the United States.
I thought to myself: "Who can screw up three Dos Equis and a bowl of ceviche?"
Answer: José’s Gourmet Grill of Mount Juliet.
Upon arrival, we were but two lost souls mingling in a gaggle of confused patrons wandering mindlessly about in the tiny waiting area, some of us spilling out into the dining area, rudely crowding tables of seated diners in the front of the bistro. Many minutes later a hostess appeared and sat groups of the agitated in a nonchalant, hare's pace.
We were finally seated at a raised bar table beside the strikingly campy suit of armor standing triumphantly above the fire.
Phase one complete. We were seated. If only that were the reason we had come out on this fateful night, only to be seated. Twenty five minutes later we flagged the hostess down and asked her if there was someone in the house that could get us some drinks. The bartender came over after about five minutes and asked us what we were having. We ordered chips and queso, a Dos Equis and a Dr. Pepper for my wife, who is currently carrying our first child.
We received our drinks promptly and our appetizer after 15 minutes. 20 minutes later the bartender returned and I ordered another beer and my wife asked for more chips. The barmaid said, "Ok I'll be right back...”
She flew back through and flung our chips down and took off again for parts unknown.
Twenty minutes later my wife was successful in motioning her back over.
She took our order, and I ordered another beer, which she surprisingly brought right away.
Forty five minutes later we flagged the hostess down and asked if we could just get our check. We had been there long enough to watch the entire Lonesome Dove epic on VHS.
She scurried along, and the bartender brought our food and attitude to our table. She said, "So do you want this or not?" We politely obliged....
My wife ordered shrimp tacos. She received cold chicken tacos with cold burned rice and warm lettuce. I received what could have only been perceived as fish Jell-O in a pool of warmish essence of the aquarium.
We asked if we could go ahead and get our check, half thinking that it would take at least until the Mayan Calendar ended before we were brought any other article of significance.
The barmaid replied, "You know it's the kitchen, not me!" "I am only ONE person!" and proceeded to stamp away, back into the belly of this beast that was slowly devouring our normally unflappable resolve.
We did not eat our entrees past two bites. We paid our bill and exited the establishment. We were not offered any compensation for the eternity we spent waiting on each piece of our dining progression. Instead we were rewarded with rudeness and sarcasm.
I would have asked to speak with the manager, but I thought that my wife might go into labor before that happened. The baby is due July 24, 2010.
It is a real shame because this place has a truly cozy feel to it and could very easily be a jewel of the community. However, I will not subject my shaken psyche to another three hour ordeal again, until I see an "Under New Management" sign out in front. Or... How about an "Under Management" sign? That would be a start.
Don't waste your money, or more importantly, your time.
Matt Alexander
Mount Juliet, TN
In the summer of 2009 my wife and I shared a wonderful evening of smiling faces, extraordinary wines and beautiful, perfect food at a new bistro in Mount Juliet called Bicyclette.
During the blissful romance we were sharing between ourselves and the food, I happened to glance over and notice that there was underway the construction of what I perceived to be a very promising establishment. The dining room looked to be well on its way to achieving a rustic South American feel with an open patio that spoke of wonderful future evenings of spicy Latino dishes, cold beer, and warm breezes.
This place turned out to be José’s Gourmet Grill of Mount Juliet.
I abstained from the new establishment in an effort to allow the kinks and newness to dissipate. My wife, on the other hand, had tried it, and begged me not to waste my time and my short fuse.
On this particularly warm January Friday night, however, I was craving a dish of ceviche, the only thing that I can depend on to transport me to the humid, beautiful summer nights of the greatest place in the world; the southeastern region of the United States.
I thought to myself: "Who can screw up three Dos Equis and a bowl of ceviche?"
Answer: José’s Gourmet Grill of Mount Juliet.
Upon arrival, we were but two lost souls mingling in a gaggle of confused patrons wandering mindlessly about in the tiny waiting area, some of us spilling out into the dining area, rudely crowding tables of seated diners in the front of the bistro. Many minutes later a hostess appeared and sat groups of the agitated in a nonchalant, hare's pace.
We were finally seated at a raised bar table beside the strikingly campy suit of armor standing triumphantly above the fire.
Phase one complete. We were seated. If only that were the reason we had come out on this fateful night, only to be seated. Twenty five minutes later we flagged the hostess down and asked her if there was someone in the house that could get us some drinks. The bartender came over after about five minutes and asked us what we were having. We ordered chips and queso, a Dos Equis and a Dr. Pepper for my wife, who is currently carrying our first child.
We received our drinks promptly and our appetizer after 15 minutes. 20 minutes later the bartender returned and I ordered another beer and my wife asked for more chips. The barmaid said, "Ok I'll be right back...”
She flew back through and flung our chips down and took off again for parts unknown.
Twenty minutes later my wife was successful in motioning her back over.
She took our order, and I ordered another beer, which she surprisingly brought right away.
Forty five minutes later we flagged the hostess down and asked if we could just get our check. We had been there long enough to watch the entire Lonesome Dove epic on VHS.
She scurried along, and the bartender brought our food and attitude to our table. She said, "So do you want this or not?" We politely obliged....
My wife ordered shrimp tacos. She received cold chicken tacos with cold burned rice and warm lettuce. I received what could have only been perceived as fish Jell-O in a pool of warmish essence of the aquarium.
We asked if we could go ahead and get our check, half thinking that it would take at least until the Mayan Calendar ended before we were brought any other article of significance.
The barmaid replied, "You know it's the kitchen, not me!" "I am only ONE person!" and proceeded to stamp away, back into the belly of this beast that was slowly devouring our normally unflappable resolve.
We did not eat our entrees past two bites. We paid our bill and exited the establishment. We were not offered any compensation for the eternity we spent waiting on each piece of our dining progression. Instead we were rewarded with rudeness and sarcasm.
I would have asked to speak with the manager, but I thought that my wife might go into labor before that happened. The baby is due July 24, 2010.
It is a real shame because this place has a truly cozy feel to it and could very easily be a jewel of the community. However, I will not subject my shaken psyche to another three hour ordeal again, until I see an "Under New Management" sign out in front. Or... How about an "Under Management" sign? That would be a start.
Don't waste your money, or more importantly, your time.
Matt Alexander
Mount Juliet, TN
