Rude, rude, rude, rude, rude, rude.
I just came from Fins in Calabasas; I have to say it was one of the worst nights out I can remember in the past ten years.

I arrived after driving an hour, looking forward to a dinner lecture on migraine. I waited at the reception area for almost 10 minutes, ignored. I tried to make eye contact with someone, anyone, but to no avail. I assumed perhaps the bartender or a waiter would see me standing there and say "the hostess will be right with you." I had to call the restaurant on my cell phone, and let it ring over 6 times before a tall young man finally came and picked up the phone. He also ignored me until he realized it was me on the phone. He was NOT amused nor did he ask why I had felt the need to call on the phone.

The hostess finally came over, also not amused. She said she was sorry, had been seating someone, but her body language, facial expression, and tone of voice made it clear that she was not sorry at all. She was simply annoyed at me for being impatient. She could not find my party (although I was there for a dinner lecture, and there was only one such dinner lecture there), and had only a vague idea of what was actually on the agenda. She called over to a group by the bar, asking if they were the party in question. The whole time she did not smile once. Everything about her said "i am tired and annoyed." I found myself glaring at her, wondering what on earth was going on.

Later, each time I walked by the hostess, she would say sarcastically "thank you for coming" and "welcome back." I finally suggested she might want to consider working at Burger King, and she FOLLOWED ME OUT OF THE RESTAURANT, telling me that I had no right to talk to her that way! She had no clue as to how rude she had been.

When I asked to speak to the manager, it turns out it was the tall young man who had first answered the phone. Amazing, as he not once asked me why I was upset, asked me why I had to call on the phone, or had a clue as to the crappy service I had perceived. Talk about incompetence.

I tried to complain to this manager about the hostess, and he told me that I deserved what I got for telling the hostess she belonged at Burger King. I tried to explain that her rudeness had started well before that. The manager would not listen, and told me I had a bad attitude right when I arrived, and to leave and never come back (like I would ever think of it). His raised his voice, he developed a threatening demeanor, he took the hostess's side without having all of the facts. He never asked why I was upset, nor did he ever ask to hear my side of the matter. He was, overall, a complete shmuck.

I have NEVER been treated so rudely at a fancy restaurant before. I am calling the owner tomorrow and asking for a formal apology.

Finally, I found a review of Fins in Westlake Village. In that review, a fmaily had a very simlar experience, where a valid complaint was ignored in a hostile manner. Could it be the same manager? Or could it be that the owner(s) do not know how to screen their employees?

By the way, the food was delicious. However, I would not set foot in thatr restaurant again for a million bucks. Those employees made me feel absolutely awful. Definitely one of the worst nights out in my life.    [28 Oct 2004 01:14:11]

Food:    Service:    Ambiance:    Overall: 
Recommended Dishes: Anything at another restaurant

     ­Jim   

What happened to the nuts?
Ordered Macadamia Nut Encrusted Halibut with Tai Peanut Sauce and there was not a nut in sight. When I asked the waitress she said they were "powdered" and that's why I couldn't see (or taste) them. This has always been my favorite dish at Fins and I have been ordering it for years so I know it usually is encrusted with macadamia nuts as stated in the name of the dish. The waitress asked the kitchen about the nuts and they said, nope, no nuts??????
Since this is the reason I come to Fins every few months I guess, no nuts, no me or my party at Fins anymore.
   [28 Jan 2005 23:46:39]

Food: -   Service:    Ambiance:    Overall: 
Recommended Dishes: I don't know since they changed my favorite.

     ­Paula