02/17/09

Worst treatment in Dallas!

by dallasdoc1

We wanted to try Hattie's with professional colleagues after recommendation of the Bishop's arts district. A reservation was made for 9pm, party of 5 on a Saturday night. We arrived at 5 minutes past 9 and were told a table would be available within 15 minutes. The hostess was not particularly friendly, but correct. We accepted the situation and walked around in the Bishops Arts District and enjoyed some of the local Arts Shops. For the next 45 minutes (!) one of us would go back to the restaurant every 15 minutes, but told off in an increasingly unfriendly manner. We were astonished that no attempt was made to excuse or offer even a glass of water while we were walking the streets with a group of potentially excellent repeat customers. At 10pm (!) we were told that there is obviously no telling when there would be a table (!) and that we should see this for ourselves - the hostess displayed quite unbelievable attitude. We were no in mood to even angry, but felt we should let the manager know that this was not really the nicest attitude towards guests who waited by now more than one hour on the street - and promptly the owner came and told us to please leave the restaurant. Wow!

We got a table at the neighboring Tillman's Roadhouse, which turned out to be very good. Funnily, we later met a group of other professional colleagues who were at the restaurant the evening before, had to wait until more than one hour after their reservation reservation - and were then pushed to order and eat within 60 minutes. Fortunately, the food was apparently so midiocre that they were happy to leave even faster. It seems Hattie's is strangled by its own owner to maximize profit out of a reputation that has hitherto been quite good. Regularly overbooked and compromising on service and food, while increasing prizes. Well, try to make your reservation...

11/05/08

Excellent food, service, ambiance, a new favorite!

by texasgourmet

We were there on election night. Very crowded, but the service was still top notch. Ultra chic and cute atmosphere, totally timeless. We started with a great bottle of underrated Conn Creek Cab. Then proscuitto wrappd figs stuffed with nuts and blue cheese and awesome crab cakes. Next was velvety asparagus soup and an above par wedge salad with crispy proscuitto. Then we split the catfish. Wow! Have they ever elevated that fish. Must be coated in panko and ground pecans, so incredibly good, under $14 and plenty to split! Finished with a key lime tart that was just perfect. My only problem all night was that I couldn't fit it all in. Can't wait to go back and bring out of town guests.

• Pros: Great food, charming staff and atmosphere
• Cons: too much great food, my stomach hurt

08/21/08

White tablecloths tell you everything

by magsmaloney2

Hattie's relies on "tradition" to create an exclusionary environment that smacks of discrimination. We had a reservation, but our party of 4 representing 3 different races was seated at the worst table in the restaurant when there were vacant tables in better locations. After an uncomfortable meal that was mediocre at best, we left feeling like we had experienced the worst of the "Deep South Tradition".

• Pros: None
• Cons: Treated like we didn't belong there. The dining room was empty.