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Refused entry by Jean Georges
Ed: It was on Christmas day, and I did go back an hour later to ask them when they opened for lunch. The hostess said noon, and the first time we tried was around 1pm.
bravian, lemon: I emailed JG, but I have not called them yet, because I don't as of yet feel I can talk to them with anything less than outrage.
I agree this is truly bizarre. I even considered the possibility that the door was the kind where you had to push in, and I only pulled. But my companion said the door didn't yield when pushed either. So I'm at a loss....
Refused entry by Jean Georges
Everyone: Thanks for your replies! I'm really touched. I kept the original post short, but I posted the whole story at http://jeangeorgesmanhattan.wordpress.com/
Around 1pm, I walked up, pulled the door, and it wouldn't budge. There was a couple of hostesses standing behind the door. I thought it was closed, so I turned to go. Another couple walked up and went right through. An hour later, I went back to JG (because I was curious as to what might have happened), and it was pretty crowded. This time the door opened, so I went in, and I asked the hostess when JG was open for lunch that day. She said 12pm. It was around 1pm when I tried the first time. I even considered the possibility that the door only pushed in, but my companion who also tried the door said the door didn't yield when pushed either.
I emailed JG, and they have not responded. However, I don't see what response they can possibly give. I'm not angling for a free meal as I wouldn't set foot in that place if I was paid to. I just want to know what the heck happened.
Refused entry by Jean Georges
chiffOnade: We've never been there before. And I am more than happy this happened before we dropped $200/person on a dinner on would have left us gagging since the lunch reservation was really to scout the place out for a possible dinner splurge.
I'm looking into official avenues of complaint because this behavior goes beyond boorish and rude, and in my opinion, verges on the unlawful.
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Recent Comments | Response to Comments
Refused entry by Jean Georges
RichardCrystal: I've considered that. Thought it was too ridiculous. Then reconsidered it. I just really don't know at this point. If JG would like a more "restricted" clientele, then they should do like Masa and Per Se and get rid of an obvious and visible public entrance altogether.
PerkyMac: Thanks. I've emailed JG the day it happened. I'll post any reply I get from them here http://jeangeorgesmanhattan.wordpress.com/
I have no interest in JG's money or food. However, I do not feel I should let this type of behavior slide, if it is indeed what it looks like. If I don't get a written response from JG in two weeks, I'll look into the appropriate NYC governmental office that's supposed to be responsible for dealing with this behavior.
Refused entry by Jean Georges
Ed: It was on Christmas day, and I did go back an hour later to ask them when they opened for lunch. The hostess said noon, and the first time we tried was around 1pm.
bravian, lemon: I emailed JG, but I have not called them yet, because I don't as of yet feel I can talk to them with anything less than outrage.
I agree this is truly bizarre. I even considered the possibility that the door was the kind where you had to push in, and I only pulled. But my companion said the door didn't yield when pushed either. So I'm at a loss....
Refused entry by Jean Georges
Everyone: Thanks for your replies! I'm really touched. I kept the original post short, but I posted the whole story at http://jeangeorgesmanhattan.wordpress.com/
Around 1pm, I walked up, pulled the door, and it wouldn't budge. There was a couple of hostesses standing behind the door. I thought it was closed, so I turned to go. Another couple walked up and went right through. An hour later, I went back to JG (because I was curious as to what might have happened), and it was pretty crowded. This time the door opened, so I went in, and I asked the hostess when JG was open for lunch that day. She said 12pm. It was around 1pm when I tried the first time. I even considered the possibility that the door only pushed in, but my companion who also tried the door said the door didn't yield when pushed either.
I emailed JG, and they have not responded. However, I don't see what response they can possibly give. I'm not angling for a free meal as I wouldn't set foot in that place if I was paid to. I just want to know what the heck happened.
Refused entry by Jean Georges
chiffOnade: We've never been there before. And I am more than happy this happened before we dropped $200/person on a dinner on would have left us gagging since the lunch reservation was really to scout the place out for a possible dinner splurge.
I'm looking into official avenues of complaint because this behavior goes beyond boorish and rude, and in my opinion, verges on the unlawful.
Cook the Book: Vegetarian Suppers
fried cauliflower!
New England Clam Chowder: Awesome or gross?
I love it! Even the over salted junk that comes out of a can. I'll scarf it down like there's no problem.
Introduction to French Macarons
I don't what the heck macarons are but reading this really makes me want some. YUMS
Whole Foods CEO May Be in (Bottled) Hot Water
It is disturbing what the anonymity of the internet reveals about the human psyche. You can be sure I won't be frequenting whole foods anytime soon. not that I can afford it anyway.
Waitering, Part Two
When has asking for an extra piece of bacon being acceptable? It's not buffet serive, you know. Restaurant does not give out free food, and an extra piece of bacon involves another dish which has to be washed. How do you even charge for an extra piece of bacon if it is not a side dish on the menu?
As amazing as this might sound, we pay for the food AND the serivce when we goto a sit down restaurant. So an extra piece of bacon is not ``just" another piece of bacon. It's an extra portion of food which involves more work for the waiter. Therefore, a food item shouldn't be offered unless it is specifically on the menu. It's really simple actually. Just like you wouldn't break apart a pack of cookies at the grocery store and expect to buy just that.
As someone pointed out, a waiter's salary is almost nothing, so where's the sin in quitting over the phone. The management made every effort to be hateful and exploit the lower economic status of their employees. Of course they lucked out of Adam since he worked there by choice. If the management were more humane, I bet Adam would not have quit over the phone. It's a lesson to be learned by the management.
Waitering, Part Two
that emory prof was a bastard. They make ~80k a year and they can't even tip?? Academia is a disgusing slug fest and I can't wait to be out of it!
to outsidecou: companies have taken to firing people via textmessaging, so i think quitting by phone is more than appropriate.
Introduction to French Macarons
After having Pierre Herme in Paris, I was hooked on macarons (like many of the previous posts). I have tried them in the States and have thus far been slightly disappointed... However, on a recent trip to NYC, a friend had brought me some that were absolutely amazing (delicate structure with a refined taste) that took me right back to Paris. I only wish that they would ship these outside of NY! But if you live in the city, do yourself a favor and check out:
www.bisousciao.com
Introduction to French Macarons
Hi to all
Florian Bellanger from Mad Mac "The Authentic French Macarons and Madeleines here"
Top picture of this article (Macarons on white tray) are our Macarons ,
we ship them Nationwide , please visit our web : www.MadMacNYC.com
and do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions at
MadMacNYC@gmail.com , (973) 225-0930
Florian and Ludovic
Introduction to French Macarons
Another Robyn (albeit with one n) who is as obsessed with French macarons as I am! (By the way, only six more days until the arrival of Pierre Hermé's églantine, figue & foie gras macarons.) You have rounded out my macaron education - thank you very much - and I totally agree with your run-down on what makes a good macaron. I will send all inquiries on macarons to your posting, from now on. My office is located between the new Pierre Hermé (on rue Cambon) and Laduree (on rue Royal), so perhaps I'll see you at one of the two on your next trip to Paris!
Robynn (in Paris)
Refused entry by Jean Georges
@tyronebcookin - I thought the exact same thing. Especially since the original post here did not state that he/she went into the restaurant an hour later and asked the time they started service. If I were that angry, you could bet that I would have asked all of my questions/concerns right then and there. I am pretty sure most, if not all, others would as well.
Refused entry by Jean Georges
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.
Refused entry by Jean Georges
A few questions for the uninitiated:
1. Could you be seen through the door (was it clear glass or wooden)?
2. Do you look like a Killer on the Loose, a terrorist, etc. or can we assume that you looked harmless?
3. Do you think they were monitorring your approach, and didn't like what they saw?
4. Would you care to return to JG once again, and have someone videotape your attempted entrance? Or successful entrance, whereupon you could pose your question to the hostess or maitre'd to be captured on video and posted on YouTube?
I'm pretty sure that I've never been turned away from a restaurant BEFORE I ever crossed the threshhold! And I qualify as an unsavory character who wouldn't think of paying that much for a meal.
Refused entry by Jean Georges
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.
Refused entry by Jean Georges
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!
Refused entry by Jean Georges
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.
Refused entry by Jean Georges
Oddly enough, I was at JG today for lunch. We had a great deal of trouble opening the front door. I think that it might just stick in the wind. Honestly, we pulled for a while before someone noticed and helped. I'm not a regular and have nothing invested, and am certainly not trying to excuse poor behavior. I hope that it was simply a sticky door and not a case of a bad attitude. I'm sorry this happened to you.
Refused entry by Jean Georges
Dana, if Richard is right, I hope you nail them and hurt their pocketbook. I also hope you'll let us know their explanation, if they come up with one. I'm outraged right along with you.
Refused entry by Jean Georges
I just have a question. I've never been to this restaurant, I probably never will but I'm just wondering. Is there some kind of buzzer whereby the hostess only lets in the "desirables"? I'm not accusing anyone of anything improper or illegal but I can't help but wonder if the owners prefer a more ..shall we say "restricted" clientele??
Refused entry by Jean Georges
So did you call them on your cell? Did you have a reservation? More details, please. I've walked in there cold, both daylight and after dark, and never got anything worse than what I'd call we're-terribly-busy attitude.
Refused entry by Jean Georges
Extremely bizarre behaviour. i'll put my feelers out too. The first rule with JG is always service. Does not sound like a typical day. Even with events, the staff are polite and courteous. This is really unusual.
Refused entry by Jean Georges
Private party was my first thought as well, but that's still no excuse for poor customer service! A sign or a person could easily have let potential customers know that there was a private party happening.
Bravian, don't be so quick to jump on the "only in New York" bandwagon, or I'll have to tell my long story about the worst service I've experienced in a long time--a $300+ dinner for two at L'Atelier de Joël Robuchon. In Vegas, not New York.
Refused entry by Jean Georges
This is a bizarre story, Dana. What time was it? Was it on the 26th? Could they have been closed for a private party. We will try and find out for you.
Refused entry by Jean Georges
First I would like to make "only in New York." Saying that - have you tried just calling them and asking what the deal is?
Cook the Book: Vegetarian Suppers
Thanks for participating and congrats to our winners:
chilledmartini
ohiogal
abbysnail
protest
lindygirl
Cook the Book: Vegetarian Suppers
Any vegetable risottos! =D
Cook the Book: Vegetarian Suppers
Definitely want to try tofu but I have eaten veggie burgers and also alot of pasta...this would help me to continue being a vegetarian which I started after Thanksgiving!!! ;-) Love ANIMALS!!!!
Cook the Book: Vegetarian Suppers
Favorite and simplest veggie main dish is baked tofu, usually with Honey-Mustard sauce or BBQ Sauce.
Cook the Book: Vegetarian Suppers
butternut squash ravs with sage sauce.
Cook the Book: Vegetarian Suppers
smoked tofu stirfry or a masaman curry - there are so many good thing: it varies by the season!
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RichardCrystal: I've considered that. Thought it was too ridiculous. Then reconsidered it. I just really don't know at this point. If JG would like a more "restricted" clientele, then they should do like Masa and Per Se and get rid of an obvious and visible public entrance altogether.
PerkyMac: Thanks. I've emailed JG the day it happened. I'll post any reply I get from them here http://jeangeorgesmanhattan.wordpress.com/
I have no interest in JG's money or food. However, I do not feel I should let this type of behavior slide, if it is indeed what it looks like. If I don't get a written response from JG in two weeks, I'll look into the appropriate NYC governmental office that's supposed to be responsible for dealing with this behavior.