Casa Mono - someone explain

[shane]

I've eaten at Casa Mono many times and usually have a great time there, but I had a totally weird experience there on Saturday night. My friend and I arrived there without a reservation at around 11 pm and asked for a table for 2. The hostess wrote down our name and said it would be 15 minutes or so and that there was no one ahead of us on the list, so we waited outside. We noticed an empty table for two in the window but thought that maybe she didn't want to squeeze us in beside the couple next to that table. Another table opened up 5 minutes later and still we waited. Finally after about the specified 15 minutes she proceeded to seat us at the inner corner of the bar where the silverware was stored, so there was almost zero counter space. I asked her were there no tables availables and she shook her head and said no. She was standing next to an empty table as she said this. So we left and had a really nice dinner at Boqueria instead.

Does anyone have any idea what happened here? I was totally angry at the time so didn't waste my time grilling the hostess. I was dressed pretty casually; did she think I didn't look good enough or wouldn't spend enough to be seated at a table? Was she holding the tables for VIPs? But it was 11pm. Anyone else had a similar experience there?

[Miss Needle]

We were there on Saturday night as well. We probably had the same hostess. I'm really sorry that you guys experienced that type of treatment. We had a very early reservation (5P) but looked like we would be late (due to service issues at another establishment). I did call them before 5 when it seemed that we would be late. They said they would hold the table for 15 minutes. Well, we arrived at 5:30P, apologized profusely and asked if they would be able to seat us. The hostess said yes, as long as we vacate by 7:00P.

We had a wonderful meal there. I'm thinking that the hostess was probably in a better mood at the start of her shift than at the end of a Saturday night shift. But if I received the same treatment that you did, I would be mad as well.

[jdream]

They do take reservations so my guess is that they were holding the tables for that reason. The hostesses there definitely have a bit of an attitude problem, but the food is more than worth it. Just curious, bar in front of the cooks or bar in front of the wine?

[shane]

Bar in front of wine, far left corner. They use that corner to store their silverware plus some other items. There would not have been enough room for more than 2 plates plus wine glasses. And given that I would have ordered 5+ items, this seemed ridiculous.

[fudluvr]

Doubtful that they had ressies that late. I probably would've asked WHY I couldn't sit at the table!!

[shane]

Yeah, I should have done that but I was totally annoyed after seeing where she seated us. It was comical. Over half the counter space was occupied by a large container of silverware. There would have been space for maybe one small plate each.

[RGR]

What is it with the hostesses at Casa Mono?! Our first experience there went something like this. We had a 5:30 reservation. There were three of us. The place was pretty empty. The hostess attempted to seat us at a table that would barely fit two, let alone three! I said as politely as I could to someone who, in my view, had a brain that did not function normally, "That table will not work for us." She looked kind of annoyed, but I could care less. We waited while she had a staff member put two two-tops in front of the front window together. Better -- but let's face it! Seating is extremely cramped no matter at which table you are sitting. In your case, I would simply have pointed to the table you preferred and said, "I'd like to sit there." I doubt the hostess would have refused.

[MMRuth]

I love the food at Casa Mono, and have not had any trouble being seated etc., but have had strange experiences when making reservations. Called one summer weekend morning asking for a table at 1:30, was told they didn't have anything available then, so we headed down that way, decided to stop in to see if they could seat us - it was about 12:15 - they seated our party of six, we were there until about 3pm, and the place was practically empty the entire time.

[RGR]

My husband and I have also been there for a summer lunch around 2-2:30. No call ahead. Since it's in our neighborhood, we just walked over. As was the case with you, the place was practically empty. I think it's usually like that in the afternoon, so why you were told they were fully booked is a total mystery.

[MMRuth]

Yes, it was indeed a total mystery to us as well! I forgot to mention in my other post that another reason we love the place is the amazing wine list. An acquaintance of ours works for something along the lines of the Spanish wine board in the US, and she told us that she thinks they have the best Spanish wine list in the US.