THE BALLET CAFE EXPERIENCE

TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN: All Patrons of St. Pete. and elsewhere:

I took a friend to a new cafe "The Ballet Cafe" located 2900 1st Avenue North, St. Petersburg, FL 33713.

The time was approx. 12:05 pm today. The dining establishment was not extremely busy, we were seated immediately, the atmoshphere charming. My friend had one hour for lunch before going back to the workplace. (less than 5 min. away)

The waitress did not offer any information (ie. soup of the day) etc...and had to leave to ask the kitchen if real Greek olives were offered in the Greek salad. We informed her it was our first time dining there. We asked for water with lemon, and hot tea for beverages. (WE RECIEVED one THIN LEMON SLICE WITH TEA, BUT NOT WITH WATER, WE REQUESTED MORE as they were so thin you couldn't get the juice out them) 12:15PM - Soup (Clam Chowder and Chili), Clam strips and potatoe cakes were ordered. 12:39 pm the waitress finally showed up with the soup.

We requested Tabasco and were brought cheap off brand hot sauce. 12:40 pm We informed the waitress we would not have time to eat and ask that she cancel the appetizers.

12:45pm She said she could not, as they were on the way out of the kitchen, so we recieved to go containers and left. Our bill came to $15.00. We left $1.30 tip. Left and called all afternoon to complain to the owner, who was said not to be in until 4:30pm.

Not only was the owner (only id'd as Andrew), was present but was also the cook running the kitchen, so when I registered our complaint by phone (4:33pm) , he became defensive, Belligerent and rude. He tried to Rebuke us for coming in at lunch with only 1 hr to spare, he remembered our order and he didn't care if we ever came back again! HA!

We could have had a better meal and saved time and money at LONG JOHN'S SILVER'S!!!!!!! or Wendy's!!!!!!

THIS ESTABLISHMENT IS COMPLETELY OVER PRICED, POOR SERVICE, IT'S CHEAP FOOD AND INGREDIENTS ARE IGNORANT TO PROPER CLASSICAL CUISINE, AND POOR ATTITUDE TO CUSTOMER SERVICE COMES FROM THE OWNER HIMSELF! SAVE THE DIME AND YOUR TIME! Don't do business there!

Sincerely, DL Richards

St. Petersburg, Florida