Four Different Perspectives for Your Vote
Pub side visit. Decor is more appealing, nicer lights, better colors. Poor service and it wasn't even busy! Possibly intoxicated server. She looked important with a key dangling from her arm, but smelled of cigarette smoke. Major turnoff. Didn't offer specials/features of the evening, didn't upsell drinks or desserts, forgot side items mentioned while ordering, didn't pay attention to drink levels....really, I could go on.
But let's talk about the food.
Burger and the sandwich. We wanted something fast and quick. From the picture, the Turkey Melt Sandwich looked on the light, fresh side. Sort of like a really awesome grilled cheese. This thing was as soaked in grease as it could be. Fake cheese and too much bacon, thick onion slices that no one could bite through without the eyes watering and the throat stinging and too much butter slathered on the grill. Yuck. I hate it when the pictures look so much tastier and prettier than the thing on your plate. Subway, anyone? They do a great job with that.
The Bistro Burger had a much nicer go at it. With caramelized onions, tomato pesto and caprino (think really tangy cream cheese) this one was a winner. This combo complimented the beef quite nicely. Good size and quite filling. The picture and the plate matched.
Room service. Onion loaf. Fast. Threw in extra BBQ mayo. Plus side! Would order at the Pomeroy again.
Take out. Two full orders of those famous ribs. Burned. Taking them out had nothing to do with this quality. I completely understand that my food is going to be on the cooler side with my 10 minute drive home in the dead of winter. I get that. I anticipate it (see previous pizza post with awesome pizza bag. Ninja.) If I was dining in at that particular moment, I would have sent them back and requested non burned beef. Oh yes. I'm that person. But, since TR probably doesn't care about what its customers think (just like every other darned food business in FSJ) we'll have to settle for a little rant 'n rave on THE CRITIC'S website, hmm?
Dine in times three. Overall: Slow service, despite varying levels of customer traffic. Average menu knowledge in staff. Excellent quality in ribs.The biggest missing factor: No Team Players. The wait staff seems to have their own agenda. They don't look out for each other or the customer. The black-clad females around the greeting area don't look the slightest bit interested in making sure guests have a nice experience. Sullen faces, no smiles, attitude problems. I've come in ugly, I'm come in gorgeous, doesn't seem to matter.
As a guest I really don't care if you (the manager/owner) don't have enough staff, product, whatever. Not My Problem. Your problem, comprende? I bring my moula to fill my belly full of meaty goodness. Not to hear about or experience your employment problems. Don't tell me about it. Put on a good show. Manager, take care of me yourself if it needs be.
Another idea, the concept of "open floor plan" in restaurants seems like a great idea IF YOU HAVE A FULL HOUSE AND STAFF TO ACCOMMODATE THEM. Otherwise, as a guest, it seems rather empty and weird. 'nuf said. Put up a few dividers and throw in some shrubbery to offer privacy and a sense of intimacy. We customers will love it. And we'll come back.
Suggestions for future Tony Roma's goers? If you haven't had the ribs you must try them. Don't go to a place that's famous for something and not give it a go.
Let your tip truly reflect how you felt about the service. After being in FSJ over two years now I have not seen ONE wait staff experience that is deserving over the 15% gratuity. Lately, I've been tipping around 8-10%. And NO, do not tip people that are not actually waiting on you at a table. Tip Jars/ tip options at non full-service restaurants is plain tackiness (generally you'll see them at the cash register.) It reflects poorly on the establishment and makes for an uncomfortable situation. You might as well just open your wallet and let them go fishing.
GRADE: C. Fine tune that service and food consistency.
