[Belmont Resident]

Originally Posted by Sully

Canoe has been a favorite of my wife and I for many years. As we often do, this past Saturday at about 5:30PM we arrived with a party of five. Upon entering, I noticed the "be patient our service will be substandard" warning posted. I must admit that it hit me the wrong way during these times of high unemployment. The hostess then approached us to escort us to our table when suddenly I heard the person behind the counter announce to us that our table would be available to us until 7:30PM. I must admit that that too hit me the wrong way especially since I had just been warned to expect substandard service. Our server was perfectly fine, our food was absolutely great as always, however....throughout our meal I watched a parade of Canoe people walking past each party in the upper dining room looking at each table as if to say " hurry up!" The table bussing people were literally falling over one another as they removed plates as each guest in our party completed their meal thus subjecting ever increasing pressure on those who had yet to finish eating. As my Mother was the last to finish eating, she did so at a table that was otherwise cleared. As I sympathized with how it must have made her feel, I was also downright embarrassed. All five guests in our party noticed and were adversely impacted by this "hurry up" atmosphere.
As we left the Canoe at exactly 6:52 PM I commented that we still had another 38 minutes ....... then I saw the line of people at the door waiting to sit.
This is the second straight time we have experienced the rush. The Canoe is a great restaurant , however, if this happens a third time I will never return. Is success damaging the Canoe? Has this happened to anyone else at the forum during a peak meal period at the Canoe or elsewhere? Has anyone been given a time period for table availability especially from a restaurant that will not take a reservation? I guess I am feeling like a Canoe II at the North End location or an additional Canoe location closeby may be a better alternative than to abusively manipulate the customers who created the success at the Canoe in the first place.

Did you inquire as to why the change? You may want to call management and ask about the sign and the service, maybe there is or was a reason for it.