Upon entering the place, I'm greeted with an expression of ""Who are you and why are you here?"" Embarrassed by what I assumed was my mistake, I clumsily ask for a table for my sister and I. We are promptly dismissed and have to wait for the manager to sigh and make a huge effort out of asking us a simple question, ""Inside or outside?"" We request inside and are promptly sat in the back of the establishment, near the kitchen. Oblivious to the overt discrimination, we sit down happily and analyze the menu. While we consider our options, a jug of water, a plate of sauces and some papadums are basically thrown at us. At this point I assume they must be busy. No offense taken. Next, while asking about some menu items, we are treated like WE are the one whom don’t speak English or make sense; rolled eyes and all sorts of treatment. I follow this with a laugh to myself and give the guy a break as he must be having a bad day or something. Finally, when the food arrives it is once again thrown at us with the waiter not even making eye contact as if we killed his puppy or were lepers or something. At this point, I still maintain this guy is having an off day; hey it happens to the best of us. Unfortunately, I couldn’t afford to give him the benefit of the doubt any further upon witnessing his treatment toward the other guests. All smiles and minstrel shows. While we couldn’t get a refill on water, he was happy to literally run to and fro with the biggest smile serving plate after plate of food to the other numerous guests, asking them about their experience or even simply engaging with them. Regrettably, the only difference I could cite between ourselves and the other guests was a difference in melanin; we had more than them. That’s funny as he himself was darker than both of our light African American complexions.
My dining experience in Raja Rani felt like something straight out of “Jim Crow"" days (even though this is an Indian establishment). While I still sought to give the guy a break considering he may still have “caste system” on the brain, I could not bring myself to forgive this terrible service. Now, I love Indian food; probably one of my favorite cuisines. More people should give it a try. However, that experience could do nothing but leave a bad taste in anyone’s mouth. Here’s to Raja Rani - may our ONE CENT tip help you understand such behavior is not to be tolerated.
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