Nightmare at Tavern on the Green

Old Dec 25th, 2001, 01:25 PM
  #21  
Howard
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I was keeping out of this discussion, but now some of the comments have become utterly preposterous and outrageous. These descriptions of the pushy New Yorkers with their tunnel vision are a bit much. Sure, we have the obnoxious ones, but so does every place else. Yes, Jackie, even in those "many wonderful places in the USA (and abroad)" that you speak about!
And, xxx, I'm sorry you've turned into a pushy New Yorker. But I've got to tell you that it doesn't automatically go/come with the territory! (PS: Those people brawling for cabs between 10 and 11 p.m. are just as likely to be tourists going back to their hotels or to a club, as they are locals going home!)


 
Old Dec 25th, 2001, 01:27 PM
  #22  
NewYorker
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Jackie-read it again... I and a huge portion of the population of New York - come from somewhere else.New York is one of the primary states in the US, that increases it's population based on people moving to it from other states and countries...I believe California and Florida are the others, for obvious reasons...Also, why do you think NY is such a major tourist attraction all over the world/US? There is something here that they don't have in other places,and a lot of people like it.No,I do not have tunnel vision, my childhood and early years were spent in other states, and my job for several years required my traveling to other countries every couple of months..You are not different from many people who have lived or visited here and find it not to their liking, that is fine,some people have a hard time adjusting to the energy and find it more pleasant to live in a low key type place..I have no problem with that, I originally commented on the drama of two women tourists having such hard time doing something here that people all over the world are pretty capable of doing..Please,be happy coming here on the weekends, if that is all you can stand...there are more than enough people wanting to live here as it is!And I am sure wherever you moved to is nice and peaceful..and you should not get so easily "irritated".
 
Old Dec 25th, 2001, 03:10 PM
  #23  
BROOKLYN
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LOL-ditto-NY!!!!
 
Old Dec 25th, 2001, 06:35 PM
  #24  
Jackie
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to "New Yorker", if you notice the posting times on your message and mine, we wrote them at the same time.
I couldn't have read your note before you posted it.
 
Old Dec 25th, 2001, 07:21 PM
  #25  
ellenB
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Ok, I've been waiting and am still waiting, New Yorker for you to answer the simple question, what were those two ladies to do when they went to the front of the line and were told they had to wait their turn? So far the only suggestion I've heard is that they needed to yell and make a scene. Is that what you would have done? You keep saying that it is no big deal, yet although you've posted a couple more times, you still don't tell us how to solve the problem without getting rude or nasty which you profess is not necessary. You said you would have walked to the front of the line and said you had to get to the theatre. Did you not read that is exactly what these ladies had already done? Please tell us what is next.
 
Old Dec 26th, 2001, 03:01 AM
  #26  
jane
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I might have grabbed my waiter, slipped him a $10 and said, we had to have our coats now, we need to get to the theater, can you get them for us. I'm sure he/she could have retrieved them in 2 minutes.
I can see how these women were stressed by the situation, and remember, it was Patrick not them, who called it a nightmare, so stop dumping on these poor women who received bad service (I think the message could have read Headache at Tavern on the Green, but it's really a MINOR point, Patrick, don't get frazzled about it and people should stock picking on you about it too). The best lesson to remember is that Tavern on the Green is a tourist trap, repeat business is not their bread and butter, and the service reflects it. They would have done far better to go to a less tourist oriented restaurant. Hope they enjoyed the play anyway!
As for cab thieves, they are contemptible, but they are everywhere. I was at another city last week, which shall remain nameless, where I waited 20 minutes at a cab stand. When one finally pulled up, two other couples who had just arrived, pushed me aside and jumped in.
 
Old Dec 26th, 2001, 04:23 AM
  #27  
NY
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Ellen B-read the posts again,then, I never said they should have pushed and yelled, that is coming from the non-NYers, I said they should have gone to the maitre de and asked him to get their coats, explained why,given him a tip and moved on!This is not some great tragedy that strikes unsuspecting tourists all the time, this is about two women incapable of handling a situation,while irritating and inconvenient, not life threatening.Much,Much ado about Nothing! OK,Ellen, got it now?
 
Old Dec 26th, 2001, 04:38 AM
  #28  
NY
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I have topped a post from a gentleman who visited NY recently.Maybe some of you should read it...It is called One Travelers Opinion.
 
Old Dec 26th, 2001, 05:10 AM
  #29  
Patrick
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Wow, what a difference a week makes. Yesterday I had brunch with both the above mentioned ladies. I told them about this posting and the responses and they were overwhelmed. When they originally told me the story they had just gotten off the plane from their three night trip to NYC and perhaps I made more out of the story than they did. Now, of course, they laugh it off. The best part of the whole thing they decided was that they had no coats to contend with while watching The Producers, so they regard that as a benefit. They just call the Tavern of the Green episode the most expensive coat check ever as it cost them something like $25 to take a taxi back up there, get their coats and return to the hotel. In regards to some of the suggestions made here, I now find that after they had been scolded by the coat check person to wait their turn, one did in fact go to the host station and tried to explain their plight. They were told politely but sharply, "I'm sorry as you can see we are extremely busy here, we're doing the best we can. You'll just have to be patient." With that the person walked away from them. They even had already thought about going back to their waiter, but the service had really been so slow and poor that day, that they didn't really have anyone to focus on. They had been served by a multitude of different people and really didn't have a server to relate to.
The bottom line? Although one had been to Tavern on the Green years before, they both agreed it was just something they'd never consider doing again. The whole place was just too much "a zoo".
By the way, these gals usually cope with situations very well (I answer having traveled in Europe with them four times now), and when they couldn't get a taxi to Craft, but saw the "rickshaw" guy, they asked about going there (from near Rockefeller Center). He said, "wow, that's quite a long way." They said, "well, are you up to it?" He said "$50" and they were off. The ride was "the most fun we have ever had in New York". They gave the guy $100 and wished him a Merry Christmas --worth every penny they say.

By the way, New Yorker, I think you missed the point of EllenB's post. She didn't say you said to yell and scream, she said so far that was the only suggestion (by xxx) she had heard so far. As was suggested that seemed to be the only way anyone else was getting their coats. You merely suggested they simply explain their problem to the coat check person, which they had already done without success. And now with my "new information" I must say too, it sounds like the only way to have actually gotten their coats would have been to make a scene, since they had also already tried the maitr'd route.

In any case, both these friends and I love New York. This was not meant to start a war about how rude New Yorkers are. In fact this summer when I had the pleasure to stay on the upper East side in an apartment for a month, I was truly amazed by things like a dry cleaner greeting me by name on my second visit (my local small town dry cleaner still doesn't know my name and I've been going there for over 15 years). And although I still find getting a taxi after the theatre near Times Square a "nightmare" (this time I've thought about my word choice), I agree that generally throughout the city it is not a major problem. I too agree, that many of those pushers and shovers are probably out of towners, but in anycase, one of the above posters was right about normal people becoming animals in certain situations. Taxis after the theatre is one of those situations.
 
Old Dec 26th, 2001, 07:18 AM
  #30  
xxx
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The whole situation could have been avoided by going out to eat *after* the play. Or, for future reference, tack on another hour to what recommendations are given by conceirge, etc.
 
Old Dec 26th, 2001, 07:47 AM
  #31  
Elizabeth
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I pretty much agree with Patrick's first characterization of this as a "nightmare," or anyhow a kind of thing that should not happen and that adds stress to an expensive outing.

The main thing to me is: a restaurant like TOTG, which is supposed to provide an experience of being well-taken-care-of, absolutely should not ever create a situation where a patron has to wait more than two or three minutes for his or her coat. I realize people who live in other places may be tolerant of this, but it is way way way below a New York standard.

And--I am afraid that the only reason this happens is that there is relatively little repeat business at a place like TOTG--the people who go there don't live here, often go there once in their lives for the (disapointing) experience, don't have a good basis for comparison of TOTG with other restaurants in that "fanciness" range, etc.

At any good other restaurant in New YOrk, the staff would fall all over itself apologizing and making amends for this is kind of problem. They know they are doing business with you, not according you a privilege. Patrick's friend were basically treated with contempt and I do think this is worth telling people about.

And the taxi-getting thing--that is why many people do chose to eat in the theatre district, or on the right subway line, when it's before the theatre. It is a little unpredictable, and if you're in the wrong location you're stuck.
 
Old Dec 26th, 2001, 07:56 AM
  #32  
al
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This has nothing to do with pushy New Yorkers, and in my opinion hardly qualifies as a "nightmare", but there are a couple of truths in Patrick's post that all holiday visitors to NY should heed:

1. During the holidays Tavern on the Green is a very popular, and busy place. Well over half of the people there are "tourists", if not from California or Georgia, from Long Island or Connecticut (people who generally don't come into Manhattan). New Yorkers generally do not eat at Tavern on the Green, and if they do it's during the holidays, with family.

2. Getting a taxi is nearly impossible with so many people in the city.

It's unfortunate that this incident happened, but it's very important for visitors to leave themselves lots of leeway, just in case, whether they're at Tavern on the Green or Wendy's. Crowds are huge and some things don't run as efficiently as they normally would. A few people decide to leave at the same time and suddenly the coat check slows to a crawl. Taxis, normally available at the door, disappear. Always have a plan B - the subway works best.
 
Old Dec 26th, 2001, 10:45 AM
  #33  
Philip
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I am sorry your friends had such an ordeal. If your friends had done a little research, they would have been warned off Tavern on the Green. It is no longer a good place to eat. Two years ago, a friend and I went to eat there and the maitre d' gave us the same spiel about you had to check your coats. My friend said in a very loud voice that it was her coat, she was not going to check it, and if that was the rule they would either have to pry it off her or bodily carry her out of the restaurant. Needless to say, the maitre d' was very nasty but allowed her to keep her coat.

The point of all of this is that Tavern on the Green is no longer customer oriented. There are so many good restaurants in NYC that you don't need to be insulted by arrogant maitre d's. Boycott Tavern on the Green at all costs.
 
Old Dec 26th, 2001, 11:07 AM
  #34  
Nancy
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Maybe it is me, but I always plan for the almost-worst case scenerio. I would assume that it would be hard to get across town to make a play, I would assume there would be a long coat check line, I would assume I wouldn't be able to get a cab, etc. And then plan accordingly in order to lessen my own stress. I would never "rely on the kindness of strangers" when it comes to my own well being. The kind stranger would have let them cut in line, get ahead at the taxi line, etc. But sans kind stranger, you are own your own in the big city.
 
Old Dec 26th, 2001, 11:22 AM
  #35  
penny
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Tavern on the Green at Christmas time is a zoo!! It is a touristy place !!!!
Patrick I enjoyed your story! The ladies did fine!!I bet the show started late-at least they could relax. Try driving on 5th near the snowflake and
Rock Center. I have heard NYC is not as crowded this year, thanks for coming!
A commuter from accross the river!
 
Old Dec 26th, 2001, 11:24 AM
  #36  
ryan
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Sorry, didn't have time to read these posts. Is this the new Tim Burton movie?
 
Old Dec 26th, 2001, 11:32 AM
  #37  
Terry
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It is you Nancy I have lived in NYC for 20 years and this city defines itself by did it yesterday service. We are probably the most impatient people on earth because things are provided so speedily for us. Good post Patrick people here who have problems with the use of the word nightmare are not looking to read posts about travel.

HAVE NEVER WAITED 20 MINUTES TO RETREIVE A COAT, IN NYC. I think your alarm was justified and I think that Tavern on the Green deserves this bad press.
 
Old Dec 26th, 2001, 11:38 AM
  #38  
Nancy
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Terry, I didn't get your did it yesterday reference.
The point I was trying to get across, is to plan ahead for whatever "emergencies" might come up to get in the way of your set plans. And not to assume anything.
At the Caryle Hotel I waited in a long line to retreive my coat after Bobby
Short's set was over.
Maybe you don't get out much, if you have never waited for your coat. Or if you do, what is your secret?
 
Old Dec 26th, 2001, 11:53 AM
  #39  
Elizabeth
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If a restaurant more or less requires you to check your coat, and reassures you about your being able to get to the theatre after a meal there, they owe it to you to see that you are able to follow the plans you have made, and to do this for you in a gracious and accommodating way.

In New York, anyhow.

(And--it's true, I wouldn't check my coat if I were on a timetable. Another reason not to go to TOTG, if you run into any trouble there you're prtty stuck as it's not near anything else.)

I think maybe people who don't live here don't realize what a high level of service obtains here--by and large, bad service is in the formula for going out of business here, people own't come back. TOTG has the location thing going for it so unfortunately they kind of get away with being sub-par.
 
Old Dec 27th, 2001, 09:02 AM
  #40  
xxx
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Here I am. I was on the second page.
 

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