July 11, 2008
The Black Sheep continues to garner praise
Writing for Richmond.com, Ginger Warder visited Carver’s little superstar and calls it “quaint and tasty”. The RTD’s Dana Craig recently visited The Black Sheep and comes away raving:
… The Black Sheep successfully caters to the varied needs of its eclectic neighborhood. Students sick of fast food can stop in for takeout cooked with care. Locals (or those from all over the city) can indulge in a leisurely meal of soul-warming favorites dressed up with innovative accents. [...] Roberts and Hess have created an eatery that combines quantity and quality, down-home and dynamic and, based on its funky knickknack décor, eclectic with inviting. I’ve never loved leftovers so much.
[...] they did with dueling Black Sheep reviews, the RTD and richmond.com both have gushing reviews for Savor out today. Posted by john m at [...]
Tonight my wife, two sons and I went over to The Black Sheep in Carver. We love the food there, and would have probably continued to spend money there were it not for their lack of common sense. I pulled up in front, it being Friday after 6, so my wife could check on table availability, before I found a parking space. She signaled that there was a table, so “go park”. Carver is a challenging place to park, depending on the time and day. It was very challenging, and I circle a three block area, before I found a place, which still took less than two minutes mind you.
As I was turning off the engine, my wife was walking towards us with a look of disgust. The employee at the restaurant refused to seat her because not all 4 of us were standing there, and gave the last table to three other patrons that walked in a few moments later, behind her. Now this so called policy of being an ass, which is what it is, is something I have never experienced at a restaurant in New Orleans, where I hear the chef/owner at The Black Sheep was trained. It is just silly.
Had the missing guest (my sons and I) not been there, meaning, still on our way, I would understand. Small place, limited table turns, all understandable, as I worked in the restaurant business for 16 years. But when someone who appreciates your food, and makes the effort to come there on a night like a Friday, with a parking situation that is challenging, should never be subjected to a petty and arrogant judgment, rule, whatever you want to call it, because someone is still parking. There is no sign to this affect outside, and really, it is just stupid.
Because of our experience, it will be a long time before we spend money there again. We had eaten there three times in the last month, because we liked it so much. Restaurants in Richmond, I have noticed, harness more mediocre wait staff, with an air of entitlement than I have seen in other cities. It makes what we could be proud of, something that just leaves a bad taste in your mouth, which is not what eating out should do.