Russets

Russets, highly recommended by a Carbondale-local, had potential to be an incredible experience, as the food was incredible and the atmosphere avant-garde and posh, but the appalling service (from the active manager to the food-runner) desecrated the entire experience. I am completely disgusted by the treatment we received spanning from apathy to aggression. We were seated promptly out on the patio – a beautiful setting. Our drink order was taken and after a few minutes the round of libations arrived. The woman serving the drinks maneuvered the featured drink (Ruby Red Grapefruit Martini) above the heads of two women seated at the table, which resulted in it spilling down the face, hair and shirt of one of the seated guests. The spilled drink was placed on the table with a quarter of its contents and the woman “serving” the drinks hurried away without apology or offering a means of cleaning the sticky red liquid off the guest. The waiter was curt and irritable when taking our dinner order, renouncing our requests that the Birthday Girl receive special treatment. The food runner huffed and puffed as he held the food above our heads and barked out, “Who ordered this?” when the entrée was out of sight – unidentifiable. The bills came, everything at full price, despite the drink-spilling incident (leaving one drink a ¼ full). When asked if we could be compensated for the drink that was spilled, we were told in was our fault, it was suggested that the woman who the drink was spilled on sprouted arms from her shoulder blades and knocked the drink out of the server’s hands. When inquiring if this is what Russets considered service, we were told it was. After contesting and insisting that the drink spilled and the drink of the guest who was spilled on be indemnified, to three different people, including the manager on duty, those items were finally removed, however, not before a check folder was angrily slung at one of the guests based upon her insistence that some type of compensation was necessary. One guest paid by credit card. Not only did she pay the 18% imposed having the large party, after running the card, the establishment wrote in an additional amount on the line reserved for the guest to complete. When questioned about this devious practice, it was related that they did it because “they could.” Needless to say, I will not return to Russets, nor will I promote it to those planning a visit to Carbondale. I have never been treated this way by an establishment – I’ve received better service going through Taco Bell drive-thru.