I reviewed Traders in October of last year. As a disclaimer, I am a local and someone who runs two very busy businesses that has the opportunity to recommend places to my guests multiple times a day.
Last October, I said I would wait until...this year - perhaps things have improved. The food was boring and the service wasn't great at all.
So a few days ago, I had a rare opportunity to get out on my own and decided to give Trader's another try. Perhaps, because they close in the winter, they got some better staff and a better chef who isn't afraid of flavour.
Unfortunately, the experience was humiliating.
Before leaving, I checked the internet to double-check lunch hours - no mention of any special events. When I drove all the way in to Trader's (just shy of 20 mins for me), there was not one notice that there was a wedding, and I parked. There was no notice on the door, I went inside. There was the usual 'Please wait to be seated sign', right where one would expect it.
...and then I waited.
...and waited.
...and waited.
...and watched 4 servers nattering to themselves and chatting in the corner. More than once, they looked over at me, but I was dutifully ignored.
I could clearly see there was a special event, in that there were tables close together and decorated, but again, nothing to indicate that Trader's was closed for any reason - no signs, decorations, notices, seating arrangements, head table - the usual things one would expect. I just assumed there was a large reservation for a group.
I finally managed to peel one of the ladies away from their little chattery gathering and they asked if they could help me with something.
I said yes, I'd love to have lunch. That's when they said, "Oh. You can't. There's a wedding here."
I said that I saw that, but it doesn't say it's closed. So I asked if the patio is open. She looked at me like I was an idiot and said, "NO. We're CLOSED for a wedding." like she was talking to someone a tad simple.
Fine. I get it. There's an invisible wedding that you only know about once you get inside and manage to get one of them to hold a conversation with you.
Being condescending just convinced me that this place isn't worth my time, money, or the consideration of my guests at either of my businesses.
I don't accept rudeness, and I won't subject my guests to that either.
Trader's - you need to figure out what's going on. That's twice for me and three times for my business partner. There's something wrong there. Yes, it's a nice place and upscale and the view is outstanding. You have a great menu. The majority of your staff are fantastic.
But I'm not alone here - your reviews are slipping, and I really wish Trader's lived up to it's potential. I love having lunch alone on the patio - it's a break from the craziness of business, and also where we love to have our business meetings.
We'll find somewhere else, sorry.More