Pele's Wood Fire - Park and King

[Ethylene]

I hope you sent it back!

Go back and read my post on page 8.

Jawohl mein herr! I went back, it's not clear from your tirade, did you or did you not? I get your service experience stank.

I have a friend from Spain who orders "latte" and expects it like it's made in Spain but he's almost never satisfied even after stating no foam, so it's not just Pele's.

I'm sure you've been disappointed in other establishments too, as we all have. I have no dog in this race and haven't even been to Pele's yet but expect I will be there soon. I too dislike the staff areas or staff side work in plain site etc. Hard to believe they could be so lax so soon! And please, don't sweep around me! I will generally have my lunch after the crowd and no matter where I go it seems there's always someone stirring up dust with a broom. Once, I even got a whiff of full on bleach from the waitress cleaning the bathrooms that made me gag and as a result, I have never returned to that spot again.

Sorry, got sidetracked, if things get out of hand early, I try to get it corrected and if not it will make a lasting negative impression!

[Non-RedNeck Westsider]

Jawohl mein herr! I went back, it's not clear from your tirade, did you or did you not?

Oh.  Then, No.  I didn't send it back.  The espresso was good and even went well with my beer, it just wasn't what I ordered.  I had no problem with the actual food & bev, it was about everything else around it.  I plan on stopping in again this weekend. 

The only reason that I posted about it again is because I think they're really pushing things quickly without refining what they already have.   As has been said on this thread, "Rome wasn't built in a day", well Rome didn't open a new restaurant and then not fix the bugs with dinner service before opening for lunch.  And probably hasn't worked out all the kinks from lunch and are now open for breakfast.   I'm not an expert, but I think I'd like to have one service down cold before I even thought about being open for 2 others.

[ben says]

Jawohl mein herr! I went back, it's not clear from your tirade, did you or did you not?

Oh.  Then, No.  I didn't send it back.  The espresso was good and even went well with my beer, it just wasn't what I ordered.  I had no problem with the actual food & bev, it was about everything else around it.  I plan on stopping in again this weekend. 

The only reason that I posted about it again is because I think they're really pushing things quickly without refining what they already have.   As has been said on this thread, "Rome wasn't built in a day", well Rome didn't open a new restaurant and then not fix the bugs with dinner service before opening for lunch.  And probably hasn't worked out all the kinks from lunch and are now open for breakfast.   I'm not an expert, but I think I'd like to have one service down cold before I even thought about being open for 2 others.

I agree with the "Rome wasn't build in a day sentiment"--interestingly, Pele's seems to be very receptive to constructive criticism on their Facebook page. If you complain about anything there, they "respond via private message." (I'd love to see what these messages say). That being said...from what I hear...nothing is really improving at Pele's. And yes, I think they should wait to push breakfast once their dinner and lunch service is "fixed."

[bill]

Starting to sound like an undercapitalized venture.

[tufsu1]

I can assure you i is by no means undercapitalized

[Non-RedNeck Westsider]

I can assure you i is by no means undercapitalized

You're 100% correct, which baffles me why they're pushing everything so fast. 

[ben says]

I can assure you i is by no means undercapitalized

You're 100% correct, which baffles me why they're pushing everything so fast.

Probably have a few hungry creditors waiting to get a piece of the pie...(excuse the multiple puns)

[MusicMan]

Place was humming at lunch today. Saw people having a really good time.I had the $6 lunch (sam and sal).
Prime rib w/goronzola and carmelized onions. Nice large green salad on the plate. + delicious small dill pickles.

Liked the portion size, too.

[tufsu1]

T-U review

http://jacksonville.com/entertainment/food-and-dining/2012-01-26/story/restaurant-review-chefs-work-italian-magic-peles-wood

[ben says]

T-U review

http://jacksonville.com/entertainment/food-and-dining/2012-01-26/story/restaurant-review-chefs-work-italian-magic-peles-wood

Fantastic review, albeit I keep wondering why I/many others haven't had that experience yet.

[Non-RedNeck Westsider]

T-U review

http://jacksonville.com/entertainment/food-and-dining/2012-01-26/story/restaurant-review-chefs-work-italian-magic-peles-wood

Fantastic review, albeit I keep wondering why I/many others haven't had that experience yet.

Read it again.  No issues with the food.  Lots of issues with the service.  I'm going to pop in this weekend for try #2, but after reading this review, I'm sort of expecting more of the same - maybe with better ticket times.

[bill]

I can assure you i is by no means undercapitalized

Then it is certainly under experienced

[tufsu1]

I can assure you i is by no means undercapitalized

Then it is certainly under experienced

wouldn't that be somewhat expected/normal for a non-chain restaurant that has been open less than a month?

[Non-RedNeck Westsider]

wouldn't that be somewhat expected/normal for a non-chain restaurant that has been open less than a month?

It would be expected for a non-chain restaurant that has been open less than a month without the lofty goals of Pele's.  They jumped in to compete with some pretty damn good restaurants, and stated as much, they don't get the luxury of extensive growing pains.  Trust me, I'm really pulling for them, and my criticism has been mostly constructive, but I'm having a hard time wrapping my head around the fact that they've opened up for yet another service when they don't have the other 2 working properly.

IMO, however insignificant, I beleive they are going to really fuck things up by doing too much too quickly.  Great food can only make up for so much. 

[ben says]

wouldn't that be somewhat expected/normal for a non-chain restaurant that has been open less than a month?

It would be expected for a non-chain restaurant that has been open less than a month without the lofty goals of Pele's.  They jumped in to compete with some pretty damn good restaurants, and stated as much, they don't get the luxury of extensive growing pains.  Trust me, I'm really pulling for them, and my criticism has been mostly constructive, but I'm having a hard time wrapping my head around the fact that they've opened up for yet another service when they don't have the other 2 working properly.

IMO, however insignificant, I beleive they are going to really fuck things up by doing too much too quickly.  Great food can only make up for so much.

+1.

Their yelp and urbanspoon reviews are dismal. China Joy has better reviews. Can't say I disagree. I think they're really shooting themselves in the foot.