Blog

BY LISA KAMPETER

First impressions, unfortunately, can make or break an evening when it comes to dining out with the Dining Divas. From the stormy weather to the last minute cancellations, we should have taken the hint. This month’s restaurant of choice would never recover.

The Dining Divas ate at Off the Vine on Hampton, slightly south of 44. The Well-Rested vacationing Diva was the first to arrive to an empty parking lot. Following shortly behind, we entered the empty restaurant and said we had a reservation but were going to sit at the bar because a couple people were running late. Also, because we knew the bar had happy hour specials.

The hostess so graciously offered to seat us anyway even though we intended to have a drink at the bar. She told us our table was available. At that time, every table was available. No one was there. After we were seated at a table 12 feet from the bar, she asked us if we’d like something to drink. I politely asked what the happy hour specials were. She told us the specials were only available at the bar. Yes, the same bar I’d suggested we sit at while we waited for the other Divas. The same bar 12 feet from where we were seated.

I stared blankly at her in amazement. Once my mind refocused, I asked seriously if we were not able to have a happy hour drink because we were now seated at the table. She said we were not, and that we’d have to talk to the bartender to see if we could have a drink at our table. “We” were to do that. “We” were to ask the bartender if he’d make a special exception for the only two people in the restaurant.

Then it hit me. It must cost the restaurant more money to make a drink and give it to a person at a table versus at the bar. You know, by the time the bartender makes the drink and then someone has to walk the drink 12 feet to the paying customers, they’ve probably gone into overtime, and overtime means too much money. There goes your profit. Well, there goes me ordering alcohol. I had been in one of those moods to throw back a few specialty cocktails, but the hostess was being ridiculous. Instead, I threw back a Diet Coke …and there went their profits from me.

Minus another vacationing Diva who decided to forego her flight for an extra few days, another Diva who got stuck at work, and yet another who was on a business trip, the remaining Divas arrived. In walked Happy Waitress. It seemed like she was in no mood to deal with us. The only time she seemed in better spirits was later in the evening when she sat with some friends of hers at a bar table, probably enjoying happy hour drinks.

When Grandma Diva ordered a “flight” of wine, three small glasses of different red wines, the waitress seemed annoyed. She was probably angry that we didn’t jump on the half price bottle of wine special she had suggested. Don’t let the name Off the Vine fool you. We weren’t overwhelmed with the wine selection.

The place was uniquely decorated in earth tones with an exposed ceiling and stained joists and a fireplace surprisingly located in the middle of the dining area. Fortunately, it was lit with only candles as we were seated right in front of it. The night’s list of food choices came on a ply board menu. Thankfully, we were pleased with our options.

Grandma Diva loved the Beet Salad appetizer she had. The Italian Diva thought the Crab and Andouille Gumbo was delicious. She was surprised to find an Italian “rice ball” or Arancin in the soup. The hummus and flatbread appetizer was another great choice.

Grandma Diva and the Italian Diva also loved the small plate of the Beef Short Ribs served with crispy polenta, roasted garlic, and olives. The Well Rested Diva enjoyed the Chicken Breast with onion pan gravy, whipped potatoes, and stewed tomatoes with lima beans.

Here’s where we go back to the part about first impressions. I’m not sure I didn’t like my flatbread pizza because it was well done (or burnt if I was sounding bitter). Or I’m not sure I didn’t like my flatbread pizza because I had already developed a bad attitude about the restaurant from the moment the hostess seated us.

But I can say, thankfully for the Divas in the group, the bad attitude left. The Adult Babysitter Diva turned Psychologist Diva shared with us a very entertaining story about one of her employees who is “certifiably” nuts. This may not sound like something we should laugh about, but to hear this Diva talk about the “characters” she has to “baby-sit” at work is quite amusing. And then there was the story about the raccoons in the trash can on a Florida island. And the adventures of the Vacationing Diva in pursuit of recovering her purse. Great stories and great times we always look forward to each month.

Now for the last impression, one of the owners walked 12 feet from the bar to see how we enjoyed our meals and how we had heard of Off the Vine. That gesture made a better impression for me. Unfortunately, the first impression made a lasting one.

Share on Facebook

Tweet

Follow us