I had enjoyed a nice hike on the peaks near DC Ranch yesterday and decided to explore one of the restaurants on the highly acclaimed Market street. I searched for a happy hour on my computer and found the specials at Armitage to be best. The special for Monday was half off all "chalkboard wines". I went into the well decorated restaurant, and like most restaurants at happy hour time (compounded by a recession) it was not too busy. I had a seat at the bar and noticed a chalkboard to my left--perfect. Grenache for $7 a glass and since it is on said chalkboard, I order a glass despite it not being my first choice. A sensible wine drinker will try anything once when it is on special for $3.50 a glass!
My caprese salad came with mushy tomatoes and far too much balsamic vinaigrette . The "fresh basil" looked more like thawed spinach and was strewn about over the top and the cheese had a slightly yellow appearance. Despite the terrible description, I ate a good portion of it since I was starving after my hike, but it does reside in the bottom 10% of caprese.
After listening to a middle age man ramble on to the seemingly interested waitress in a voice that could be heard by someone in the street about how he was jetting away in first class to Boston in the morning, I couldn't stand it anymore and asked for my bill.
I thought about not mentioning it when I was charged $7 for the wine as this is a great deal, but I mentioned it to the bartender who informed me that the website had long been outdated and the wine I chose was actually not on special. Irritated, I asked that he adjustl my bill and remind the manager to update the website. I was expecting an apology and accommodation, but he said he was sorry and he wouldn't do anything about it. He ran my card quickly and then hovered awkwardly at the other end of the bar, ignoring my empty water glass.
If he were thinking he would have honored my request and gotten every bit if that in his tip, but instead I left angry and they lost a future customer! I would not recommend Armitage for the horrible customer service and mediocre food!