What a shame...\n\nLike so many of my failed relationships I fell for something that looked attractive, only to find out that beauty is sadly often only skin deep.  Such was my relationship with Venues today.\n\nIt looked great.  The location is cool, right near the sundial and the stone work and rustic/contemporary feel really pulled me in.  We grabbed a table outside and the waitress handed us some menus and asked what we wanted to drink.  She brought an iced tea and then we watched.\n\nWe watched the staff walk around seemingly in a New Years Day daze.  After about 15 minutes I told my friend to put down her menu, thinking that her still holding the menu was preventing the waitress from thinking we were ready.  Five minutes later I finally succeeded at getting that precious eye contact and she took our order.  Then...once again...we waited.\n\nNow another fifteen or even twenty minutes passed and this time when I gained that eye contact I must have triggered her memory that we still hadnt been served so she went and checked.  Nothing.  Another five and she says \""I'm going to see whats going on!\""  She came back and acknowledged that she forgot to put our order in and offered to buy me a beer.  It was too early so I declined, but no other compensation whatsoever was made for this screw up.\n\nShe then came back again and told us that it shouldnt be much longer...there was only one order ahead of us.  How could anybody be ahead of us?  Wouldnt the kitchen drop everything to take care of the salad (thats right...thats all we ordered).  Nope.\n\nAnother five.  \""Its almost done...there are just finishing the chicken.\""  We stopped her and said \""Thats OK now...just bring the lettuce...we dont need the chicken\"".  \""OK...are you sure?\""  \""Yes!!!\"" we told her\""  We expected her right back now...no such luck.  Another five and she finally came back with the salad with the chicken.  \n\nNow she didnt try to bluff us and took fault for the error.  I'll give her that but the check came without any favors.  Didnt offer dessert.  I wasnt drinking and hadnt even hinted that I do so it was surprising that the only offer she made was for a beer?  \n\nShe joked and even tongue in cheek made fun of the situation and it did add some levity.  She acknowledged \""The shitty service\"" (her words) which I did laugh at.  But who would go back when they didnt even say \""Hey....its on us...just please give us a second chance\"".  \n\nI dont think I will ever go back.  Maybe for a drink but I really felt bad for everybody waiting on their meal.  I think that one table left without waiting for their food while we were there.\n\nGreat atmosphere and unlimited potential I might guess but as for right now the \""New Ownership\"" sign isnt winning over any patrons.  It couldnt have been any worse before.\n\nGood luck.  Its a tough business!