I had been craving bruschetta for WEEKS - so I performed a Yelp search looking for bruschetta. The first place I called said they stopped serving bruschetta a couple of years ago and the second place I called, Meza Luna was closed until 5pm - so I decided to give Siracusa's a try.
Upon walking in, there were 2 folks at the bar. One guy was having a bear and the other patron, a lady, was having dinner. The server / bartender handed me a damp, paper menu then disappeared. At this time - there were no other employees visible at all. Another gentleman arrived while I was waiting to place my order. When it was clear that I was ready to place my order and the employee was still missing in action, without any prompting on my part, the gentleman who had arrived walked past me, towards the restroom. He came back and said, "I think she's in the restroom."
The server re-appeared about 3 minutes later. Two additional employees entered from the back door about 1 minute later. I placed my order for the bruschetta - hold the olives. I was going to go to my car to wait, so I asked how long - and she said 2 - 3 minutes. This should have been my first clue that I was about to get served some nonsense.
After about 5 minutes, I see the server placing a styrofoam container in a bag - then placing a clear container in the bag as well. I thought maybe she was preparing someone else's food (a call-in order maybe). Nope. After MUCH back and forth - it turns out that they serve their bruschetta as a small oblong loaf of bread, sort of hasselbacked and slightly warmed from the oven - not toasted. And instead of covering it with tomatoes, cheese, etc - the toppings come 'on the side' with the expectation that you spread it like a tapenade. I asked if they could prepare it the traditional way and she said No. At this point the woman who had been dining at the bar - pipes in - lets me know that even though it's unusual she's had it and it's delicious. The server also says it's odd but people love it.
At this point - because all three customers are standing around staring at me and the server is behind the counter shouting at me (not angrily) just raising her voice so that I can hear her. I understand the need for social distancing, but she was much further away than 6 feet and two TV's were on. I decided to just leave - and call back later so that I could have a conversation without feedback and staring from the other patrons.
Based on my receipt, I have been overcharged - I decide to mention that when I call as well. I try calling from the car - someone else answers the phone. I explain that I just left the restaurant a few minutes ago - and ask for the female server / bartender. After holding for about 5 minutes - someone approaches the phone, talking to someone in the background, but they hang up on me. I call back two more times - no one answers. Once I arrive at my destination - I call back from another number and she answers.
I tell the server I'm not happy with the food - but I'm not bringing it back or anything - I explain that I was overcharged based on the menu and the website. She says, "Oh yeah - I told 'him' the prices on the website need to be updated." I tell her yes - they're wrong on the website, but they are also wrong on the menu* you handed me. This is met by silence, so I repeat myself. She says, "Ok. I'll let him know."
I'm left wondering if I'm petty enough to call BOA to dispute $1.00.
Wrapping up - I'm all for supporting small businesses, black or white owned - but I really didn't appreciate the dismissive attitude of the server & her unwillingness to approach the bar so that I could hear her better. She was pretty snarky when I expressed my surprise at the bruschetta - initially, almost had the attitude that I'm the uncouth bumpkin that doesn't know how it's served until Regular #2 jumped in and said the way they serve it is unusual, but it's good. And it's not the owner's fault - but having the 'regulars' on my left, right and behind me - all staring at me and standing closer to me than the actual server - was was very off-putting. I felt ganged-up on & unwelcome. Full disclosure - it didn't help that they were all white and I'm black. Again - not the owner's fault - but Yikes.
Other thing - while I was looking at the menu, the server was trying to get the attention of Regular #1 but he was engrossed in the golf game on TV. She actually stretched her arm over the bar and picked his glass up by rim. She used her index finger and thumb to form a C shape to cup the rim of the glass, then she shifted it back and forth so that the bottom of the glass banged against the bar. This finally got his attention, and she asked him if he wanted another beer. He said Yes and she asked him if he wanted a fresh glass. What type of experienced wait staff handles a glass by it's rim? Jeesh.
*How difficult is it to update your black & white, non-laminated menu and print another copy? read more