Just hold it until you get home, okay?
May 13th, 2008 by Cliff Bostock in Food & Life, Restaurants
We dined at Parish Sunday night — I’ll be reviewing it soon — and the place was packed. It’s a beautiful space. There’s just one problem: If you’re handicapped, you’re not going to eat there — at least not in the main dining room.
There is no way into that part of the restaurant that doesn’t require using stairs. My bad knees make it very difficult for me to walk down stairs, while I have little trouble walking up them. I got in, but, when I went to use the restroom, I discovered that it’s down a steep flight of stairs.
A server told me that an alternative to the stairs was going to the back of the restaurant by way of an inclined sidewalk and entering through the deli section called Parish Market. That’s a lot of trouble to use a bathroom.
As far as access to the main dining room if you’re in a wheelchair, forget it. Another server told me that people who cannot negotiate the stairs have to eat downstairs in the market, which, granted, is a convivial, attractive space itself. But…I’m just saying.
I looked up the American Disabilities Act and found that Parish does qualify for exemption, but it’s disappointing the restaurant didn’t find a way to better accommodate handicapped folks.
Since I’m complaining, here’s another one: valet parking. Last night, we ate in a restaurant with a very large, very sparse parking lot. Nonetheless, we were expected to use the valet. I refused and the valet rolled his eyes so hard I could hear them clattering. But why should I turn the keys to my car over to a valet and tip him $5, if there’s a parking space 10 feet away?
(Photo of wheelchair-bound Blanche Hudson and Baby Jane Hudson in Whatever Happened to Baby Jane from MovieMail.)
May 14th, 2008 at 1:08 am
I am so with you about the valet. not only should i not have to pay all that money… i LOVE my car. a crazy amount. and i don’t want anyone else driving it… even 10 feet. haha
May 14th, 2008 at 8:53 am
Me too! Another great example of plenty of parking yet almost forced valet is Redfish. My husband drives thru the valet lane (as its the only way to get in the parking lot) and self parks. It doesn’t make sense to have to wait and pay for your car that’s 10 feet away.
May 14th, 2008 at 10:40 am
Six Feet Under (westside), a fish fry house, with VALET?!!!
May 14th, 2008 at 11:17 am
Actually, dstenz, it was Redfish where we had that experience.
May 14th, 2008 at 1:00 pm
This city has a valet problem, it’s pretty ridiculous the overuse of valets at places where they are completely unnecessary.
May 14th, 2008 at 2:37 pm
I like the Rathbun’s system where there’s a valet but also a self-park section of the lot.
May 15th, 2008 at 11:30 am
I once worked as a cocktail waitress at a local restaurant that opened up about a year ago. I remember that they were so thrilled to get a valet for the parking lot that was big and easily navigated on one’s own. I thought it was a turn-off.
I love going to Bacchanalia (not too far from the restaurant I worked at) and being able to park my own car to eat some of the best food in the city.
Valet does not equal posh!