Cool atmosphere, staff in need of an attitude adjustment!
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
I've been going to my beloved Uncommon Ground since the early 90's. I have a love/hate relationship with them. About every other time I have a decent/good experience depending on who's working and how the food turns out that day. Last night, had a BAD experience.
Let me just start with the host who was rude and condescending to me. He's trying way too hard to resurrect the 80's Duran Duran look. You need to lighten up on the heavy handed eye liner you're wearing, get rid of the skinny jeans and most importantly stop being stuck up to customers. Since my visit got off on the wrong foot, he told his friend who ended up serving me, and she was about as unpleasant as anyone. I couldn't have made her smile if I told her she won the lotto . She was unfriendly, slow, and unresponsive. My bad start to the night got translated in the kitchen as well. All I ordered was a chopped salad folks. The only somewhat tasty part was the grilled chicken. Otherwise I was served the crappy part of the head lettuce with big dry chuncks of it and hardly any dressing. And the chopped salad is now $15! Getting a bit pricey UG, used to be $12. Then I ordered coffee and was served lukewarm dishwater. It was flavorless and not hot. That said I still gave the gal 20% plus tip because I know how hard it is to work in the service industry. I work in it too, and no matter what kind of day I'm having, I treat my customers very well at all times. Some UG employees need a lesson .
Why am I such a glutton for punishment and keep returning over the last 15 years? It's the artist and music thang. I LOVE the artwork and I LOVE coming by to hear the talented singer/songwriters. Before the smoking ban, it was a rare place that was non-smoking. And for the times when I've been served and treated nicely. The food is VERY unpredictable though. BUT, UG, your prices are getting higher, your servers are not consistently reliably good and freindly anymore. Clean up your act!
Pros: ambiance, entertainment
Cons: service, food