Serious Eats - seriouseats.com

I think jbrach may have a good point. Another potential customer and I arrived at a local restaurant a week or so ago. This place was no JG, but no greasy spoon diner either. Both of us tried the door with no success and both of us were going our separate ways a couple of minutes later with no clue as to why the restaurant would be closed. Next thing we know a couple walked out. I caught the door and walked in, callin g out to the other person to try again. Noted the problem to te hostess who apologized and said, "oh, stuck again." First time this had ever happened to me , but maybe it is not so uncommon. No excuse though for the restaurant not responding to the complaint.

After reading the extended and edited blog on his post/question I don't really care if the incident was real or not but I feel its a little questionable...

1. Why not when returning an hour later did he not ask the hostess or person who obviously looked right thru him the first time if SHE did in fact not see that he could not get in the door, and/or why the door was locked? But instead opted to ask when lunch started? Doesn't make a whole lot of sense...especially if he was as mad as stated.

2. Why not call? Come on, when did email ever get better than 50/50 response when addressing business and they don't know you from adam.

And if popularity, media, traffic, or just attention was not the intent then why the stats counter? The post is on wordpress with stats installed, maybe wordpress blogs come with stats installed, BUT usually it is a plugin option and besides this article with wordpress title, there is only one other new article on this blog.

you can tell stats are on because you see the little smiley face moving around in the background (and its tiny).

I think the majority of people would have found out what was going on when they got in the door the first time, and I for one (of millions) would have definitely called.

Anyone who spends $200 for any meal for two has to have a screw loose or be seriously overfunded or both. Sounds to me like the restaurant did you a favor.

Dana--Is there any resolution to this mystery? Many of us have read this exchange and are empathizing with your frustration and embarrassment. Please let us know when you find out what really happened!