UPDATE -
Floataway has improved its game - both with the renovation and more attention to service. I've been back several times (most recently this past week) and they no longer deserve the rebuke (tho they definitely deserved it at the time).
I guess you can teach an old dog new tricks.
It's one of the best spots in the neighborhood.
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OLD REVIEW:
It saddens me to say that Floataway Cafe is no longer the restaurant it used to be. I've just returned from an evening that was highly unsatisfactory. While the food remains delicious, the service and management seemed completely out of touch with reality. It made me think that they've somehow started to think that no matter how poor the service is, they will continue to earn the rave reviews. Someone in the back of the kitchen needs to wake up and smell the coffee. Things have gotten so dismal in the front of the house that I can no longer recommend this restaurant to my friends or visitors.
Some key points:
We arrived precisely on time for our reservation. We were made to wait 30 minutes (with nary a word from the hostess as to why). This was at 9PM in the evening. I understand that this is an inexact science, but it could have been handled much better.
Wait, wait, wait, wait for a server to show up.
She finally does and takes our drink order. Little did we know that this would be the theme throughout the entire evening.
This culminated with her chatting with a friend who had come into the restaurant as we waited 20 minutes (no exaggeration!) to just process our bill (in a nearly empty restaurant).
On top of the glacial service, the restaurant was freezing cold. This wasn't just a matter of of 68 vs. 72, but someone joked that they had turned off the heat to clear the tables. I was wearing socks and loafers and even my feet were cold.
Our bill for three people came to more than 200.00 - I think we deserved more in terms of service and comfort. To be fair, the appetizers and entrees were delicious.
Maybe I should ask them if they would consider takeout - because I am not going to put up with that horrific level of service again.
Pros: Food
Cons: zip
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