riddlemay wrote:

To answer the riddlemay's question: I now know Magnolia does not accept reservations for less than five people.

See, that changes everything. Should they have told you on the phone (now that you were no longer a party of six, but a party of four) that you no longer held a valid reservation? Yeah, that would have been nice.

It would have been more than "nice", it is fundamental and elemental. If someone who has a valid reservation calls in advance of the reservation to inform of a change in the number involved and that change will result in a) the loss of the reservation; and b) a lengthy wait despite the advanced and careful planning, the restauranteur is obligated to inform the customer of those facts. Failure to do so, in my opinion, waives the right to enforce the policy as to this particular party.

But were they wrong to deny you a reservation when you showed up? No, they were not wrong. In fact, honoring your reservation would have been wrong. Because it would have been unfair to the other parties of four who were waiting their turns, all without reservations.

I disagree strenuously, as the fact of making the reservation and notifying the restaurant in advance of the change in same puts the reserving party in a class above the walk-in customers in terms of permitting the restaurant to plan for its business on the night.

I'm sure you see that now.

Condescending attitude is certainly not called for here. In my view, what should have happened is this:

Enjoyfood calls to inform Magnolia Cafe of the change in reservation. Magnolia informs Enjoyfood on the phone that they are sorry but this change actually has a disqualifying effect on their reservation, as the restaurant only accepts reservations for 5 or more. Magnolia further informs Enjoyfood that they are beginning to get busy, and if they would like, they could put their name on the list for a table, which currently has a waiting time of ___ minutes. Enjoyfood either agrees to go on the list along with everyone else or chooses to take his business elsewhere. Either way, the rude conversation with the owner would be avoided entirely.

Once it got to the point of calling the owner, the transaction had already soured beyond repair. Unfortunately, the owner's reaction to the complaint soured the entire relationship with the restaurant.

On the subject of their food (and for the record, I find the tut-tutting about the complaint a little off-putting), I have eaten twice at Magnolia Cafe, but I have not returned for at least two years. My memory is that the fare is reasonable, not extravagant nor horribly overpriced, but there are simply other restaurants that fit the same criteria (small, decent, charming) that are more convenient for me.

Magnolia Cafe
1224 W. Wilson
Chicago
(773) 728-8785

At the risk of off-putting tut-tutting, this seems to be getting rather heated without even the participation of the person involved (not to mention any other side of the story). Let's move on.

I am aware through an old job of mine (not in the restaurant industry) that the owner has an extremly volitile temper... I have avoided the restaurant because of the owner for some time and will continue to do so.

Debpayton wrote:I am aware through an old job of mine (not in the restaurant industry) that the owner has an extremly volitile temper... I have avoided the restaurant because of the owner for some time and will continue to do so.

Debpayton,

Well, I don't have an "volatile temper" but mine is wearing thin with all these first time posters jumping in negative on a restaurant thread where there has been exactly one word, "good", said about the actual food.

Frankly, I'm about one post from calling Mike G and a couple of others and asking if they want to go to Magnolia Cafe for a meal.

Enjoy,
Gary

G Wiv wrote:Well, I don't have an "volatile temper" but mine is wearing thin with all these first time posters jumping in negative on a restaurant thread where there has been exactly one word, "good", said about the actual food.

Perhaps you have a "volatile" memory:

debo wrote:Oh, and the food. We loved it. (We were also starved.) We shared a salad, a crab cake appetizer, and a short-ribs entree. They split everything for us on two plates, beautifully (they charge $2 for this service, which we didn't begrudge a bit). I don't remember details of the salad, except that it was fresh, lightly dressed, on almost a nest of little bits of mild goat cheese. The crab cakes (2) were small, but meaty and tasty. The short ribs, though, were just fabulous. Amazingly tender, flavorful, with potatoes deliciously soaking up the savory gravy.

No dessert for us, because we were in a rush, but it was a terrific meal, and we would definitely return.

J. Ro wrote:On the subject of their food (and for the record, I find the tut-tutting about the complaint a little off-putting), I have eaten twice at Magnolia Cafe, but I have not returned for at least two years. My memory is that the fare is reasonable, not extravagant nor horribly overpriced, but there are simply other restaurants that fit the same criteria (small, decent, charming) that are more convenient for me.

If memory serves, over-aggressive policing of content is one of the factors that led you all to create this discussion forum lo these years ago. I didn't realize there was a rule forbidding first time posters from relating negative experiences with a restaurant. But back to the topic at hand...

I'd recommend Magnolia Cafe to anyone without much hesitation, even considering enjoyfood's recent experience (which, if it were mine, would fall into the unpardonable category as well). The place is quaint and charming, which has lingered impressionistically in my memory much more clearly than the food or the service.

Keep eating,
J. Ro

I'm pretty sure gary was referring to the new posters slamming the restaurant.

Gleam,

Quite so, in fact he clearly references the "first-time posters" in the thread.

J. Ro,

Say you owned a restaurant and had a competitor across the street. Say you wanted to smear him. What would be the single easiest way to do that? Register on a semi-widely read food board and tell a story, and start a little bad buzz which might filter into other media or get around generally.

Am I saying that's what Enjoyfood did here? No, but when we have multiple first time posters not only complaining about the meal but attacking the owner personally, the possibility that we are being used that way, unfairly to some hardworking restaurant owner, is a reasonable one to consider. (Suffice it to say that this kind of situation has been seen before.) Probing for comments about the food is one way of evaluating the credibility of the complainer. It also helps tilt the balance back toward LTHForum, the let's go find wonderfulness board, not LTHForum let's bitch about restaurants board. Yeah, that's part of it, and that's fine, but sometimes it gets kind of monotonous that way around here. And when it's not just customer feedback but competitive dirty pool, or when that possibility at least seems plausible, it is our obligation to push back and, if necessary, shut it down.

If Enjoyfood is still around to read this, please note I am not attacking you personally-- I am simply pointing out that we don't know anything about you personally by which to evaluate your credibility. You are simply a name and some words in the Internet void. The main way to have credibility in negative posts is by posting about restaurants you like, positively and in detail, over time. I hope you do so.

J. Ro wrote:If memory serves, over-aggressive policing of content is one of the factors that led you all to create this discussion forum lo these years ago. I didn't realize there was a rule forbidding first time posters from relating negative experiences with a restaurant. But back to the topic at hand...

J. Ro,

If 'we all' truly had an old-school over-aggressive policy of policing content enjoyfoods post would have simply disappeared as would have yours.

We try, whenever possible, to moderate in 'clear view', which in this case entails trying to redirect a thread back to food discussion, as opposed to a 'somewhat' onesided slam by a first time poster, who says they have been reading LTHForum for three years, yet it's only been up and running two, and is unfamiliar with quoting.

Thanks for your input.

Enjoy,
Gary

I hate to do this especially when I didn't even get to eat, but I don't think I will ever go to Magnolia Cafe. I was picking up my girlfriend from Truman at 1:30 today so I figured we would go accross the street to Magnolia Cafe for a nice lunch. (I like nothing more than a nice lunch) When we got there it looked very slow but a little after normal lunch hour in a part of town that is not particularly lunch oriented, I figured that was normal. There were no signs on the door or anything to indicate that they were not serving lunch today and the door was open, but when we went in we were greeted at the door in the most rude way I have encountered in a while. Without so much as a hello we were told, "We're in a meeting right now can you come back in three hours, thanks." Like most things it is not so much what is said but how it is said; There was no mistaking the contempt and the sarcasm in his voice. I hope someone on the forum can talk me down, but unless that happens I will never go to Magnolia Cafe.

gtomaras wrote:I hate to do this especially when I didn't even get to eat, but I don't think I will ever go to Magnolia Cafe. I was picking up my girlfriend from Truman at 1:30 today so I figured we would go accross the street to Magnolia Cafe for a nice lunch. (I like nothing more than a nice lunch) When we got there it looked very slow but a little after normal lunch hour in a part of town that is not particularly lunch oriented, I figured that was normal. There were no signs on the door or anything to indicate that they were not serving lunch today and the door was open, but when we went in we were greeted at the door in the most rude way I have encountered in a while. Without so much as a hello we were told, "We're in a meeting right now can you come back in three hours, thanks." Like most things it is not so much what is said but how it is said; There was no mistaking the contempt and the sarcasm in his voice. I hope someone on the forum can talk me down, but unless that happens I will never go to Magnolia Cafe.

LOL! My one experience at MG, which was also a non-eating experience, was fairly similar. We walked in at about 10:30 on a Sunday morning and the restaurant was almost completely empty. We asked if our party of 5 could be seated. We were told, rather gruffly, that we could not be seated because the restaurant was entirely booked. We looked around the nearly empty room and asked again if they might have one table available 'right now,' because we were all there and ready to dine. The look of contempt on the host's face was unmistakable. She again refused, snottily explaining that <paraphrasing> "just because you see open tables, it doesn't mean we're not booked."

I could accept that every table in the restaurant had been reserved although, it did seem odd that a single walk-in table could not be accommodated. However, the haughty manner in which we were treated -- as if we were intruding to seek a favor or had no idea what a restaurant was, or how one operated -- was inexcusable. My memory of that experience has stood out for the nearly 2 years since it took place, because it was just about the rudest treatment I've ever received in a restaurant. Magnolia Grill may serve wonderful food but I know they will never have the chance to serve me again. Our story had a happy ending in that we ended up at Tweet, where we enjoyed a fine breakfast, which included an excellent rendition of eggs benedict and sumptuous corned beef hash that was made entirely in-house.

=R=

Tweet Restaurant
5020 N Sheridan Rd
Chicago, IL 60640
773 728-5576

gtomaras wrote:I was picking up my girlfriend from Truman at 1:30 today so I figured we would go accross the street to Magnolia Cafe for a nice lunch. (I like nothing more than a nice lunch) When we got there it looked very slow but a little after normal lunch hour in a part of town that is not particularly lunch oriented, I figured that was normal.

According to their website, other than Sunday brunch, Magnolia Cafe is not open for lunch.

ronnie_suburban wrote:We walked in at about 10:30 on a Sunday morning and the restaurant was almost completely empty.

We did exactly the same thing around 10:30 on a Sunday morning last year (after driving by M. Henry and observing the crowd waiting outside), and were greeted properly and enjoyed a lovely brunch.

FWIW, I am not excusing rudeness and I don't blame anyone for not wanting to return to a place where they feel they have been treated rudely. (Heck, that's why I refuse to go back to Crofton's on Wells.)

nsxtasy wrote:According to their website, other than Sunday brunch, Magnolia Cafe is not open for lunch.

I would not have been upset if they were not open for lunch. I am sure we have all gone somewhere only to find out they were closed. It is the manner in which I was treated that makes it a disappointing experience. It is not difficult to say something pleasant and encourage me to visit for dinner rather than be a jerk. As this thread points out, this seems to be a recurring theme for Magnolia Cafe.

Drove to Magnolia in yesterday's pouring rain and heavy, swirling winds. Parking was tough, but I found a spot just three blocks away. Broken umbrella in hand, I made my way briskly to the restaurant's front door, and by the time I opened it I was soaking wet and a little out of breath. I opened the door and took a seat at the bar, happy to be warm and out of the elements. A few seconds later, a gentleman stuck his head from the back and yelled "Not open yet!" It was 5:20, and the posted hours say they open at 5:30. "No problem," I responded as I took out my Julia Child book to get some reading in before the rest of my party arrived and we could be seated. Another few seconds pass, and the gentleman emerges from the back to repeat, "Not open yet, sir." This time in a somewhat firmer tone. "Oh," I replied. "I'm just gonna hang out at the bar and wait for my friend, if you don't mind." "Afraid not. We're still getting set up, and it's not 5:30 yet," was his answer. Befuddled, I wandered back out into the rain, found a Starbucks and huddled there for a few minutes before returning to Magnolia to meet my party.

Still want to know how the food was? If it were outstanding, there is still not a chance in hell that I'd ever return. That stance was made easier by a salad that had a hodgepodge of incongruous, out of season ingredients, and menu prices that are at least 30% higher than they have any right to be. Roasted chicken had a nice, crispy skin and was served over risotto that was too-strongly flavored with pancetta. Flounder stuffed with crab was as good as the $13 version at the Bayside Diner in Queens. That's pretty darn good. For $28, it wasn't good enough.

It's really perplexing and sad to see this kind of self-sabotaging behavior in what could/should be a real neighborhood bright spot. We haven't been there in a couple of years. Previously, we had one very nice diinner, which included decent value for money and perfectly acceptable manners, and one very unexceptional brunch.
But these consistent reports of inexplicable surliness really give one pause. Especially given the whole neighborhood context in which they exist, not to extend themselves as hosts to people making an active effort to come in and spend money seems virtually insane. You welcome your customers, let them know you're still setting up but they should please feel free to sit and relax, and then offer them a comp. aperitif on a wet and windy Tues. fer crissakes.
Compare-contrast with Michelle Fire over at Tweet. Not necessarily a flawless operation, but I've never felt less than welcomed and accomodated both by the owner and her somewhat artsy-eccentric staff. I've had some long waits for a backed up kitchen, but front of house has always done their best to keep me happy and make me feel like long-time-no-see out-of-town family.

My many experiences at Magnolia Cafe could not be more different than what is described here. I'm not doubting that it happened, I'm simply surprised that any customer would be treated that way. I think Magnolia is not only a great neighborhood restaurant, it's a great restaurant period. The prices are high compared to the fast food joints on Wilson, but represent good value for money based on the quality of food that is served. The service I've received has always been friendly and warm. The gnocchi with smoked chicken and the short ribs I had at a recent dinner were two amazing dishes. I'll take a camera with me the next time I go to provide a more thorough review.

For the moderators, is it realistic to discourage thread titles that are either overtly positive or negative? No matter what is posted in this thread, anyone reading the thread title would assume that Magnolia is a place to avoid. I would prefer neutral thread titles. Let readers draw their own conclusions.

Magnolia Cafe was built at the same time I lived in the neighborhood back in 2001 or so. I never made it in but was glad to see someone was putting in a quality restaurant on a desolate Wilson strip.

The current GF loves Magnolia and we have been here mostly for brunch and dinner. Honestly, I can't remember what I had for dinner but the service has always been kind, non-rushed, professional, yet not overly attentive.

Brunch has been more memorable. Not being a fan of brunch but a fan of the girlfriend's smile, we head over here about once a month for the French Toast with raspberry preserves and cream cheese (my choice), pancakes with seasonal fruit, or indulge in their specials (changes often) and their muffins....My God...the muffins...

$6 for a muffin may seem unreasonable in concept but well worth it in taste. Home-made, fluffy, soft and the lemon-curd spread is (insert foodie adjectives for "good" and incorporating the word "explosion" somehow).

After reading my take on it, I know it's a lousy writeup. Today is the first day in about 70 that I have gone without coffee and although I feel sluggish, I feel enlightenment and a sense of positivity so I wanted to express my thoughts and experiences to such a polarizing thread.

FrankP wrote:For the moderators, is it realistic to discourage thread titles that are either overtly positive or negative? No matter what is posted in this thread, anyone reading the thread title would assume that Magnolia is a place to avoid. I would prefer neutral thread titles. Let readers draw their own conclusions.

Generally speaking, we don't control editorial content unless it's potentially libelous or slanderous. To do so is contrary to the very essence of what we are. The thread title here may be harsh but it doesn't cross the line. As came up in a previous discussion about the title of the thread pertainting to The Paramount Room, there's nothing stopping those who love Magnolia Cafe from starting another thread about it, with a more positive subject line.

Of course, we're not all going to agree about the places we discuss here but I'm not sure I see a meaningful distinction between the subject line of a thread and the content of the posts within that thread.

=R=
for the moderators

FrankP wrote:For the moderators, is it realistic to discourage thread titles that are either overtly positive or negative? No matter what is posted in this thread, anyone reading the thread title would assume that Magnolia is a place to avoid. I would prefer neutral thread titles. Let readers draw their own conclusions.

FWIW, both of my experiences at Magnolia Cafe closely mirror that of Kennyz. I found the staff to be less than pleasant and the food vastly overpriced for what it is (which is average at best). I really wanted to like this place because it was right in my neighborhood when it first opened up. I eventually moved out of the neighborhood before getting around to giving it a second chance, but I finally did around a year ago and didn't see that very much had changed.

We ate at Magnolia less than a month ago and made reservations for four which they took so i assume they take reservations for four. I actually talked to the owner, they were slow, and he seemed to be very nice.
odd that he would respond in such an unprofessional way and certainly not acceptable. Very puzzling experience indeed.

HI,

I have a friend who once worked retail advise their coverage was rated differently for periods of time when customer's were expected and when they were not. If an incident occured with a customer on the premises outside of the posted hours, then their insurance would not cover it.

There is a Chinese take-out near me with a few tables on the premises as a courtesy. I have arrived 30 minutes before their posted time and was served. I have arrived 15 minutes early and told my food would not be started until 11:30. I left and didn't return, though I have since gone only during posted hours. Their stiff interpretation of time has meant missing a few impulse stops.

Regards,

This is yet another classic LTH thread, if not a very pleasant one.

But I have now reread it, and I must say that my conclusion this time is quite different from my initial one. Sure, this thread started with a couple of people who had little or no posting record saying bad things, and they were greeted with what seemed an appropriate amount of skepticism. Heck, we like restaurants around here, and we all know that no place is perfect.

But the number of negative posts, and particularly poor Kenny being sent back out in the rain rather than allowed to sit quietly at the bar and read, have convinced me. If one goes to Magnolia the odds are you will be treated fine and get a decent meal, if a bit over-priced. But there is a good chance you will be treated in a disrespectful and condescending way that will make the entire experience unpleasant. All these posts take it beyond coincidence, misunderstanding or bad luck.

I have no objection to being abused if the abuse is entertaining, or if the food is wonderful. Since no one has said either applies here, I will go elsewhere. There are options.

Tweet's okay, Michelle's a sweetie and the art is very good, indeed. The food is okay. Overall that makes it a fine experience, and there is no risk of boring abuse.

I had been wanting to try Magnolia Cafe since it opened. I made a reservation for 6:30 on a Saturday night a few weeks ago for my husband and I. We really enjoyed our meal and the service----enough to make us want to return. Our waiter was great. We had ordered the wild mushroom pizzette and a salad to share. Expecting the typical thin crust pizzette usually served as an appetizer we were surprised by this one. It was huge----enough for 4 people to share. Our waiter came and asked us if we still wanted the salad as he hadn't placed the order for it yet and we thanked him as it would have been much too much food. The pizzette was delicious. I had the flounder stuffed with crabmeat and my husband had the duet of pork which was not only an enormous portion but great tasting. His plate had grilled tenderloin over sauteed spinach on one side and braised shoulder over jalapeno-cheddar corn bread, with pico de gallo and salsa verde. Two very different preparations on one plate. Both were great with the Mexican one perhaps a little better. My flounder was delicious, too. We were so stuffed we didn't have room for dessert. We had a totally different experience I guess than those posting above.

Have to agree with dicksond. Reading the whole thread with an open mind, there's no way I'd ever patronize this restaurant. Too much negative feedback posted to be a coincidence- I'm convinced there's truth and honesty to the experiences. Too many positive choices out there to bother with this place...

$6 for a muffin may seem unreasonable in concept but well worth it in taste.

Wait - what?? You paid how much for a muffin? Was it covered with gold leaf?? Ye Gods!

Preposterous. I would only consider paying that for a throwaway baked good if Eric Ripert served it to me, wearing nothing but a Speedo and a smile.

sundevilpeg wrote:I would only consider paying that for a throwaway baked good if Eric Ripert served it to me, wearing nothing but a Speedo and a smile.

Eeeew

=R=

sundevilpeg wrote:

$6 for a muffin may seem unreasonable in concept but well worth it in taste.

Wait - what?? You paid how much for a muffin? Was it covered with gold leaf?? Ye Gods!

Preposterous. I would only consider paying that for a throwaway baked good if Eric Ripert served it to me, wearing nothing but a Speedo and a smile.

Last night's 30 Rock featured a thousand dollar dessert, covered in 24 K gold, at a restaurant named Plunder.

riddlemay wrote:Last night's 30 Rock featured a thousand dollar dessert, covered in 24 K gold, at a restaurant named Plunder.

It also included shavings of black, white and clear truffles.

sundevilpeg wrote:

$6 for a muffin may seem unreasonable in concept but well worth it in taste.

Wait - what?? You paid how much for a muffin? Was it covered with gold leaf?? Ye Gods!

Preposterous. I would only consider paying that for a throwaway baked good if Eric Ripert served it to me, wearing nothing but a Speedo and a smile.

Sorry, I am about 95% certain you get two muffins. Does that sit better with you? And they were still worth it. In fact, I just may call at 2 PM today and ask them and explain "there is this really LTH forum and we are debating the value of your muffins as well as the value of your entire operation since app. 2006 and I NEED to know if your brunch muffins come as a pair or as a stand-alone item that may or may not be overpriced."

Hopefully I will be hung up on so I can have that experience.

I think it may be time to get back on coffee.

eatchicago wrote:

riddlemay wrote:Last night's 30 Rock featured a thousand dollar dessert, covered in 24 K gold, at a restaurant named Plunder.

It also included shavings of black, white and clear truffles.

Oh my God, I want a clear truffle. NOW.