Contaminated food!
Love this place. The food is great except today. The service is great until a health policy is violated.
I ordered gluten-free pasta with the honey salmon. 1/2way through my meal I found a "foreign object" that had I swallowed intead of pulling it out of my mouth, it would have likely punctured my gastrointestinal tract if not created a choking hazard. The only reason I noticed was the reaction to my palate expander.
The server (very sweet) apologized immediately and brought it to management. He came back and said the plate was comped. I then asked, "Does that mean I need to eat the rest of the dish, or can it be remade? Becuase I have no idea what else might be in it."
He says, "Of course" he can remake it. He then asked if I wanted it for here or to go. I said to stay (as service had been to expectation).
After we got the bill, I noticed I was still charged, so naturally, I brought it to the servers attention.
He says "it's out of my hands" referring to the fact that management (and he said "the owner") decided that because i had it remade i needed to pay for it.
Now here is the problem (as I who has co-owned 4 restaurants, and still own 6 businesses is concerned), the server should have informed me BEFORE cooking the food that it was to be charged, thereby changing the answer from "yes it can be remade" to "sorry, no it can't" based on my original questioning, that since they were comping the meal "Does that mean I need to eat the rest of the dish, or can it be remade?"
I had to explain what normal policy is when a "foreign object" is found that it is on the restaurant to not force a patron to eat the rest of the contaminated food or go without a full meal, that the dish is remade complimentary.
So although I will be likely to return (assuming this post doesn't get me banned), I would strongly suggest a change in policy, or for patrons to be aware enough to ask clarifying questions regarding the service and remedy of mistakes.
Though this is unfortunate, I will say that I am still 95% pleased with the place, but wary of preparation and accountability. I am also feeling that the reason I was charged (although I really hope for God sakes not) that they felt I put it there (because it "has never happened before").