Catalan Food and Wine

11/13/09

a little pricey; inconsistent

by cmk1126 at Citysearch

I had a lovely pork belly, great salad, and a terrible entree on the first visit (some concoction of venison fried in motor oil, I think). I came back and had a terrible pork belly, an unpleasant salad, and some adequate street food (duck something or other). My wife's steak was OK. I paid over $100 both times--once when it was just me.

More of a foodie than a wino, I have little use for this place. I may pepper my life with another visit or two, but I hesitate to recommend it.

• Pros: sometimes the food
• Cons: sometimes the food

08/17/09

What a JOKE

by apbess at Citysearch

Let's see...where do I start?

My husband and I have been to Catalan once before and had a decent time. We dedicided to try it again and made reservations there last Friday night for 8:30PM. We arrived at 8:20 and were told that our table would be ready in about 20 minutes - which was fine with us. We waited for about 15 minutes to even get noticed at the bar but finally were able to order a couple glasses of wine. I found a spot for the both of us to stand near the wall by the crowded bar until my husband notices a giant insect crawling up the wall near me and several other guests - it then starts flying. And things only went downhill from there...

After about 30 minutes, my husband walked over to the hostess stand to check on our table. She said there were 7 tables getting ready to leave and we were up next. After continuing to wait, the Manager/Sommelier Antonio comes over and seats a couple who is standing near us. More waiting and after it had been nearly an hour, my husband and I walk over to the hostess stand to inquire about the status of our long overdue reservation. Antonio tells us that he has two other tables to seat ahead of us. So I say that we had a reservation at 8:30, have been waiting for an hour and we're considering going elsewhere, and Antonio very abruptly dismisses us by saying, "OK, Valet is Complimentary". The nerve of this guy! No apology, no "We're running behind" - NOTHING.

So I tell Antonio that I've been to Catalan before and have had a pleasant experience, but that if we have to order a SECOND round of drinks at the bar WITH a reservation, the least they could do is say "Sorry for the wait". But his "Valet is Complimentary" comment basically just told us "We don't need your business". He then kept cutting me off and saying that he was under-staffed and was "Sorry we took his comment the wrong way". Oh please! We did not misinterpret anything - this guy was just plain arrogant and rude.

After reading other reviews on City Search, it is clear that Catalan needs to evaluate their staffing levels as well as invest in Customer Service training for their employees and management.

I have never been treated so poorly at a restaurant. They could not pay me to return to this low-class establishment.

• Cons: Unprofessional Management, Poor Customer Service

08/02/09

Horrible

by CThouston at Citysearch

Waited over an hour and a half . At 9:30 pm we left after talking to manager who didn't care or have a clue when we might get a table. Hostess is snotty and not very helpful.

Service in the bar was poor at best and they suggest people eat there instead of waiting for a table. Waited 15 minutes for a waiter to stop by the table. Had the over priced signature martini, first one was great the second one was horrible. Guess the recipe is still being developed.

I doubt they will be getting many repeat customers so after the newness wears off so will the crowds.

Other than the name, its not really a spainsh tapas resturant. The menue is a hodge poge of itmes.

• Pros: none
• Cons: service, attitude