Duck and Bunny
Ladies night last night --out with my mother--TR, and my girlies Britt & Mal.
Having been to The Duck and Bunny once before, my hopes were high for my 2nd visit. The critics thus far have given it high marks for it's super cozy atmosphere, hip setup, delicious crepes and cupcakes and their "high tea" service.
Service being the key word, and unfortunately last night they failed miserably. For me, service is #1 when I eat out at a restaurant. Your guests are the basis for the success of your business....their word of mouth could be your lifeline of whether you make it or break it. You're talking FREE marketing here business owners! Do you really want all that free marketing to go to waste when your former guests are badmouthing you in disgust and irritation?!
In the economy we're in today, and businesses folding left and right, it's imperative to offer your guests the best service, the best food, the best experience you can when they choose to dine at your establishment.
For the sake of my story, we'll call our server Louise--as she sighed "Geez Louise" a few times when we asked her questions about the menu. She did not have the answers to our (very simple) questions regarding the Restaurant Week Menu.
Duck & Bunny Restaurant Week Menu:
$29.95 per person
Drink included:
Choice of House White or Red Wine---
Me: which wines on the menu are included in the Restaurant week menu?
Louise: All of them....I think...let me check
Louise goes inside
Not lying about 15 minutes later, comes back out. Mind you there was only one person inside upon our arrival, and we were the only guests seated outside in the garden. (Sitting in the Garden was beautiful and peaceful might I add)
Lousie: The house wines are included in the Restaurant Week Menu
Me: Which wines are the house wines?
Louise: Um...I'm not sure, let me check
Back inside she goes
Another 10 minutes goes by
Louise: We have a Malbec and a Chardonnay
Us: We'll have 3 Malbec's and a Chardonnay please
Another 10 minutes later, out comes our wine. Thank god they were in the stemless glasses or for sure Louise would have dropped them. (Thank God we weren't in a hurry) Though we made sure to let Louise know we were starving so she wouldn't disappear inside to organize cupcakes in the display case for 20 minutes while we sat there with growling bellies.
Course One
-Brie with Fig Spread and Pecans on Olga’s multigrain bread --TR and Britt
-Bacon Wrapped Dates with balsamic honey glaze--Me
-Hand-stretched local Mozzarella wrapped Olive and Tomato, chiffonade basil--Mal
Course Two: Crepes
-The Wyatt-Reuben Crepe: Smoked turkey, mozzarella, spinach, cranberry coulis --Me
-The Distinguished Lincoln Crepe: Black forest ham, Gruyere, caramel mustard --Britt
-The Mazzy Star Crepe: Portobello mushroom, fontina cheese, rosemary, truffle essence --Mal
-NY System Hot Wieners Crepe: Homemade meat sauce, chopped onions, yellow mustard and, of course, celery salt--TR
Course Two: Crepes
-The Wyatt-Reuben Crepe: Smoked turkey, mozzarella, spinach, cranberry coulis --Me
-The Distinguished Lincoln Crepe: Black forest ham, Gruyere, caramel mustard --Britt
-The Mazzy Star Crepe: Portobello mushroom, fontina cheese, rosemary, truffle essence --Mal
-NY System Hot Wieners Crepe: Homemade meat sauce, chopped onions, yellow mustard and, of course, celery salt--TR
All of our Appetizers and Entrees were wonderful...and nice that we all chose a different offering we were able to try a bite of each others. Surprisingly, Louise got our orders correct, having given them to her all at once...Good Job Louise!
Intermezzo: Raspberry Sorbet--agreed by all as delicious, refreshing, and presented in these really cute tiny flutes.
Course Three: Three of our House-made Mini Cupcakes and Choice of Coffee or Tea--presented on a pretty cake stand---Banana with Nutella frosting, Red Velvet, Mocha and Chocolate mint...all deliciously satisfying.
Louise never offered us coffee or tea and we forgot it was included. Louise also didn't ask us if we would like to order another glass of wine. (Hello....up-selling, and little did Louise know that us ladies LIKE TO DRINK :)
While The Duck & Bunny received an A+ for their menu choices, particulars and presentation of the food, as well as the Garden ambiance, the service received an F....and unfortunately, that only amounts to a C for a final grade.
I know in school B's and C's get degrees, but with all the other dining options out there (snuggery or not) this girl will not be dining at the Duck & Bunny again, as the irritation and anxiety over the terrible service is just not worth it.
Duck & Bunny: C
Is there a statistic out there that correlates people who received F's in school earn less income in the real world? Poor Louise received a mere 10% tip :(
