Sat down happy, left hopping mad.
Light lunch for 4 adults and 2 kids came to just over 90 bucks. Seating was sort of lousy, but acceptable-right next to the kitchen. I had kids with me-one toddler, one breastfeeding 3-week-old. Sort of tiresome upscale diner atmosphere. Had the corned beef hash and eggs-good! My pals had spinach salad with salmon-reportedly average. My 2-year-old had a kids' meal-eggs, also good.
Experience still smooth up to that point.
Time was 1:30-ish, lunch was over, and the diner was virtually empty at that point. My kid wanted to rip around and play with the oh-so-hip tractor seats they have at the front counter. They made a bit of a "squawk" as he turned each one. I was practically holding his hand. My fellow diners smiled patiently. Then things went downhill fast.
The maid behind the bar gave me the "knock-it-off/slash-the-neck" sign, as if she was way too busy earning her $8/hr to deal with me and my super bratty kid. As I opened my mouth to respond, a blond dame in a power suit rushed over and admonished my son and me: "People are trying to dine" she sneered.
At this point my jaw dropped. I responded, flustered, "Well, he's only 2, and we were just about to leave anyway (I had already provided my credit card), and besides...RELAX. Lemme talk to the manager.
She was the manager.
Urge to kill rising...
I had just spent 90 bucks on a so-so meal. I was about to leave. I paid the bill already. It's not like my kid whipped down his pants and peed all over the floor.
PUT UP AN "ADULTS ONLY" SIGN THEN! I raged. The hipper-than-thou (I'm assuming) childless owner skulked back to the kitchen. I followed to retrieve my coat (which was back there-remember?) and offered some threatening stares, but stopped short of turning over tables and smashing coolers as I reasoned this would be a poor course of action. The waitress apologized for the manager's behaviour, though it wasn't her fault. How could it be?
Conclusion... the owner-cum-manager's attitude sucks. Lucky to get two stars. Don't take your kids.