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Parallel Wine Bistro

Discussion in 'Area Restaurants, Dining and Food' started by vacliff, Feb 12, 2010.

  1. redon1

    redon1 aka Aphioni

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    i guess we'll have to agree to disagree. your stance is that if a place will allow children then you will take them there whether or not it's an atmosphere that suits them. it's your right- you aren't breaking any rules.

    my stance is that i use my best judgement to decide whether or not my kid belongs someplace and don't need a rule to make that decision for me. if a place has an adult vibe, a menu of upscale cuisine with no kids menu, and is the kind of place that I know my neighbors go to to have kid-free outing- AND- it's not the type of place HE could even ENJOY- then i wouldn't wreck that just because there's no rule telling me NOT to.

    i love to disagree with you t8- you are fun to argue with! ;)
     
  2. sharse

    sharse TeamDonzi rocks!!

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    Do you really have a RIGHT? I realize it would be NICE... but a RIGHT?
     
  3. T8erman

    T8erman Well-Known Member

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    Let me be clear... I have not taken my kids to Parallel. ;)

    However, if some parents do take their children there, then so be it. I am not going to get bent out of shape UNLESS the place says No Kids Allowed. Also, who decides what is the appropriate atmosphere for children? Who decides what is the appropriate age? How are you going to stop rambunctious kids playing around the fountain?
    If you and others want an adult only place, then inquire with the owners (don't hold your breath).

    On that subject, does anyone know what the owners feel? Maybe they do not mind children if it gets them more business.
     
  4. redon1

    redon1 aka Aphioni

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    that was my point on your stance m'dear.

    no one is talking about the fountain- of course kids will be there- that's one of the draws for bringing your kid to that plaza!

    who decides what's appropriate? PARENTS do.

    "hmm- is a wine bistro that serves somewhat pricey upscale fair with no kids menu and is designed as a place for people to drink and taste wine and can order food to complement the perfect place to bring my kids? or do i choose one of the many family friendly economical places that serve food they will like and cater to children a better choice? am i taking my kid here because they will enjoy it or because i will enjoy it and they just need to deal with it?"

    i say answer that question and choose.

    it's the same with vacations... people dragging kids to a vaca spot that they can't enjoy- i don't know how many bored kids who then began acting bratty at wine tastings in Sonoma... oh wait- only a few... yay!!!
     
  5. vacliff

    vacliff "You shouldn't say that."

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    Your "right" ended when you went to a public place.....
     
  6. redon1

    redon1 aka Aphioni

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    ok how about this sentence:

    "Is it the responsibility of the establishment to ensure the peaceful enjoyment of my experience there?"

    again back to the restauranteur in AL who put up a "no screaming kids will be tolerated" sign-
    which customer do you want- the adults that don't show consideration in a restaurant and let their kids ruin the dining experience for others, or the people who want to enjoy their dinner their peacefully? for every customer she lost, she gained 4 more! I love that she empowered her employees to take control of a situation where one patron makes many other patrons uncomfy.

    ***this is not to say the kids at Parallel to date have been screaming- I'm just making a comparison to what this lady did at her place to cresat the atmosphere she wanted in her place.***
     
  7. T8erman

    T8erman Well-Known Member

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    And I will ask again, what do the owners of Parallel want?

    This thread is mostly what EVERYONE else wants. Expectations of the owners may not be the expectations of the customer(s).

    As for me, why can't I get truly fine dining in a sports bar? :D
     
  8. redon1

    redon1 aka Aphioni

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    i will find out.

    sports bar fine dining? b/c you sports nuts think wings and (insert name here) covered in melted velveeta sauce ARE fine cuisine...
    :notfunny:
     
  9. T8erman

    T8erman Well-Known Member

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    au contraire mon ami. Givest me the finery whilst watching a football game
     
  10. Villager

    Villager Ashburn Village Resident

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    If people would use common sense and consider the feelings of others we wouldn't need so many laws in this country. It's very difficult to regulate human behavior. Next thing you know they'll be banning smoking in restaurants. Oh wait...

    ...but that's a good thing, IMO. I have a right to enjoy a nice meal without breathing in toxic fumes. Or do I? Does my right to a toxic free meal count more than another person's right to smoke in a restaurant? So many questions!

    But seriously, though - don't bring your kids to a place that specializes in alcohol. A restaurant with a bar is one thing but a bar that serves bar food is another. That said, we'll be hanging out at a restaurant with a bar for three hours on Sunday to watch the Cowboys game. And our kid will be with us. But it's a family friendly place and the kid is well behaved. People might be cussing if the 'Boys play like they have the first two games and I'm prepared for that. "Ear muffs!"

    P.S. - I wrote this message while drinking a glass of wine. :pofl:
     
  11. sharse

    sharse TeamDonzi rocks!!

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    Nope. Some people may complain about the music being too loud. Too quiet. It's too crowded... too busy... too empty...

    Each of us defines "peaceful enjoyment" differently and then decides which establishment meets said criteria and then we go back! Or not... if it doesn't meet our definition. The proprietor should ensure it's the kind of place he/she wanted, and the rest of us vote with our wallets.
     
  12. redon1

    redon1 aka Aphioni

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    well said!
     
  13. vacliff

    vacliff "You shouldn't say that."

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    Maybe, maybe not. If the folks with the kids were spending a lot more money than you, he may be more concerned with keeping THEM happy.

    Unless you actually speak to the owner with your concerns and hear their response, you won't know.
     
  14. redon1

    redon1 aka Aphioni

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    my quote was about more than Parallel- it was to gauge public opinion in GENERAL about their feelings on that sentiment.
     
  15. twohokies

    twohokies New Member

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    OK Parallel experts - what time is a good time to get there to make sure we get a table (of 3, no kids) on a Saturday?
     
  16. GenericEric

    GenericEric Member

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    So we had kind of a big day, and wanted to grab a drink at happy hour to celebrate. My wife pulls out a discount card to the Broadlands Village Center that came in the mail last week and has 20% off Parallel on Mondays only. Today is Monday, we are golden.

    Right?

    When we go to cash out, the waitress explains that the discount card won't apply to items already on happy hour. I get that, that's cool, putting a discount on top of a discount is almost never done, and while it isn't listed on the card, I get it.

    But then they refuse to apply the 20% to the non-happy hour items on the check - because SOME items were on happy hour, they refused to honor the discount to even the other items.

    So... If you have one of these cards, they work for four hours a week, on Mondays, after happy hour and when no other discounts could be applied.

    File this in one of those instances where your attempt at marketing actually cost you two customers.
     
    Sleepyhollow likes this.
  17. VT2GW

    VT2GW New Member

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    Have you tried Blackfinn Ameripub over in Loudoun Station? Nice venue for watching games and has a decent menu to choose from. I wouldn't classify it as "fine dining", though definitely a better alternative to BW3, Wing Factory and the various neighborhood pubs in the area.
     
    msss2013 likes this.

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