RICK HALL

Our turn to critique arrived this past Friday night.  The instructions from the mystery shopping company suggested that we call and make reservations anytime after 6p.  I placed the phone call and was caught off guard by the tone of voce coming from the other end of the line.  I asked for reservations for two.  He responded by saying “ah…reservations?  ummmmm….yeah, ok.  two it is.”  Why such reservation with making reservations?  It was really weird!  Nonetheless, after my show, Sarah and I hopped on a bus and headed to Lincoln Park to review the restaurant that was self described as place to “dine and disco.”  With a description like that, we anticipated it to be a nightclub with a section for dinner.  Boy were we in for a surprise!

We made it to the Lincoln Park establishment by about 9:15p and found it to be completely empty.  No diners.  No disco’ers.  Not a soul.  Just dim lights, an empty bar, and loud club music.  Sarah and I gave each other glances back and forth.  Though we didn’t speak a word, the other one knew exactly what the other was thinking, “should we stay or should we go?”  After standing near the front bar for roughly ten minutes, someone finally came to greet us.  We sat at the bar for about five minutes and were later escorted to our ‘table,’ a white fluffy couch near one of the far walls of the restaurant.  It quickly became obvious to us that we were not at a dinning establishment.  We were at a full-blown nightclub!

I made reservations for a nightclub
No wonder the person who answered the phone greeted my request for reservations with such hesitation.  Who on earth calls and places nightclub reservations for a party of two?  Still alone in the club, Sarah and I became determined to turn this night of awkwardness into a good time.  Our cocktail waitress served us delicious nightclub food with a smile.  Three appetizers later, we were out the door … headed to a real restaurant.

Nightclub…I’m certainly not judging the night club business or those who frequent them.  It’s just funny, especially if you know us, to think about Sarah and me getting dressed up for dinner and ending up at night club.

Word of advise…always fully investigate restaurants before you frequent them.