Yaffa Cafe
New York, NY 10003
Phone: (212) 674-9302
07/24/2007 Posted by bethesdagirl
We returned on 8/23/08. At my suggestion, 3 friends joined us at Yaffa for a late lunch. We sat in the garden area, the service was *superb* (friendly & attentive) and the food was very good. The problem began when it was time to pay. We hadn't bothered asking for (2) checks, since most places don't allow it and it's always settled at the cashier's. Yaffa's cashier had a major attitude problem; she refused to calculate the tax for me! I was incredulous; I told her it was her job as the cashier. She got nastier and I demanded to speak to the (shift) manager, at which point she said "I'm not helping you!" and then told the manager "YOU deal with her!" The manager (Gerry) was immediately nasty. He said "It's not her job to calculate tax!" and I said "Then whose job IS it?!" He then said "She's not from NY!" and I replied "What does THAT have to do with it?!" Gerry then whipped out a calculator from under the cash register and I said "Why couldn't the *cashier* have used that?!" His reply: "She didn't know it was there!" (?!). Then he angrily said "How much tax do you want to pay?!" I replied "The correct amount!" He demanded of me, "What is the correct amount?!" I replied "You and I both know it's 8.675%!" Then he *shoved* the calculator in my direction and said "YOU figure it out!" I replied "No; I am the CUSTOMER!" He angrily did it and then said "How much tip do you want to pay?!" I said "20%; $3.60", after which he added an *extra* tip on top of the tax! I said, "I said $3.60!" and he angrily changed it. (First review): My husband & I ate an early lunch in Yaffa's garden on a weekday in late June and fortunately it wasn't crowded, so we were able to thoroughly enjoy the pleasant atmosphere. I had been there with friends 12 years before and kept intending to return. I'm surprised about (some) negative reviews, as I had a very good experience on both occasions. Our waiter this time was pleasant and we also thought the food was very good.
Pros: The garden, great service and very good food
Cons: Incredibly nasty shift manager and cashier
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