September 20th, 2012 by Jeremiah Ramey – Comments (55)
You carefully put on your custom, Italian-made suit. Cinch up your pin-stripe tie. Shine your shoes. Place your fedora on your head. You walk up to the mirror. You are Don Draper. Your wife, Megan Draper, is just getting ready in the other room. Let’s change it up a bit. Maybe you’re Joan Harris and the dates out there for you are limitless. Or perhaps you’re Roger Sterling and you have many dates on each arm. Maybe you’re a Peggy Olson and you just want to have some drinks with the girls. The names are from the hit show “Mad Men”. The times are set in the 1960s New York setting. It’s 2012 now, so where would they go to feel comfortable and at home? At none other than the Vault, of course.
Located downtown at 620 S. Cincinatti, The Vault is a “mid-century modern” restaurant; two story; two bars; two dining areas; two parking areas. It used to be the First National Autobank, which opened in 1959. Keeping the feel, it still has original doors in place, spiral staircase (for employees only), elevator, and even the big, chunky, boxy surveillance cameras. The bank vault still resides in the building as well. Pastel blue and green chairs, white bubble chairs in the corners, long beige couch, white table tops, silver bar, brown bar, management wearing bow ties, waitresses wearing housewife aprons. Pretty rad setting.
I called in for a reservation and was informed they don’t do reservations, but they can put my name on the list so I’d be next in line when I show at that time. Ok? The place is easy to find, as is the parking. Turning off 7th, we drove up the ramp into the parking lot. Exited the car and started for the restaurant. For a first timer, the setting is a bit confusing. There is one entrance and no host/hostess, I guess because this is the top level of the parking. How am I supposed to tell them I’ve shown up? I don’t know. But, being the place has tons of glass, you can easily see the Tom Tom room bar adjacent to this one. So, we worked our way around the upstairs dining area and towards the bar. I look down and I see another bar in the story below with a big dining area. Things look really poppin’ here. I asked a waitress about seating in the Tom Tom room and she said we could sit anywhere we like in this room, as long as we are 21, and someone would be with us shortly. After about 3-4 minutes of sitting, I was asked if I could leave this room, from what I assume is the manager, because apparently, the scattered empty tables in the room were reserved for a party of 18 (of which there were no signs on the tables either.) Funny, I thought they didn’t take reservations.
I said I had a reservation too. So, he pointed towards the elevator, I guess we missed that in the corner, to make our way downstairs and said he’d meet us down at the main entrance. Out of the elevator, there lies the main entrance. I gave my name. Hmmm, they don’t seem to have me on the list of record that I called or anything. This is not going well. I just want to eat. We could sit at the bar or wait for a table. I chose bar out of desperation.
We ordered a couple cocktails. They were ok. Definitely overpriced. Also, the bar area was cluttered with bartender mixer glasses, fruits, herbs, drain mats, etc. All in our area. Every time one of the bartenders needed to make a drink, we had to sort our glasses out of the way, or risk getting other peoples drinks accidentally squirted into our area, drinks, and food. Not cool. They do have Marshalls and Coop beers though. Gotta love that!
We ordered the bruschetta 3ways for a starter. Cream, crab, and capers on one. Traditional tomato, basil, olives, and feta on another. And chef’s choice for the other. $14 is steep for an appetizer. But it was delicious.
The pork bourguignon ($16) was great. So tender, you didn’t need a knife. Wrapped in warm spices, tomatoes, carrots, onions, whole cloves of garlic, and rice.
The moussaka ($14) was very different with garbonzo beans, mushrooms, lentils, tomatoes, etc. The flavors collided and melded together very nicely.
We even got to try the pimento mac’n'cheese which can be ordered as an entree ($11) or side ($6). It was ok. Though, I don’t think I could make it a whole entree.
Overall, the experience was terrible. At least the food was great. The cocktails, in my opinion, are just ok and overpriced.The management definitely needs work. Hopefully they get these kinks worked out soon. It is, after all, a new restaurant. If I was Don Draper though, then Megan and I would have been out the door at the start.
The Vault
620 S. Cincinnati
74103 Tulsa OK 74103
www.vaulttulsa.com
Jeremiah Ramey: Author – www.aleskitchen.com
I’m a home cook with a little professional dabbling experience. A lover of craft beer! And if you don’t know about craft beer, then you will. Effervescent, vivacious, flavorful, and extremely wonderful. Happiness in a bottle….or can. Craft beer is an amazingly diverse and complex drink. Around one hundred different styles of beer in the world and thousands of breweries. A booming industry right now in America! And still, craft beer is deserving of MUCH greater culinary respect than it has been receiving.
I believe there is a beer for everyone and a beer for every delectable dish out there. I believe it stands up to wine just as well and even better in the culinary world. Cooking, pairing, drinking, and education. I hope to bring some useful knowledge into the foodie world concerning great beer with great food. Not everything is about beer, but it sure does make it better. Cheers!
55 responses so far ↓
Brian Schwartz Sep 20, 2012 at 11:56 am
This is really good writing, the best you’ve done yet.
It’s worth going to the Vault. I’d bet that they will fix these service problems. (If they don’t, they are in trouble.) If you go and you encounter problems like these, insist on talking to Libby Auld, the owner, or her husband.
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Brian Schwartz Sep 20, 2012 at 1:42 pm
Here are two photos that show the incredible interior architecture and design. The first shows part of the main room and the second is the Tom Tom Room.
http://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/s720x720/377303_10151059928818918_1842510068_n.jpg
http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/s720x720/392012_10151060736373918_948317297_n.jpg
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Libby Auld Sep 20, 2012 at 10:18 pm
Hey everyone. We are a new restaurant and love getting both good and critical reviews. It is how we have been able to maintain such a high level of service and food quality over the years. With that said I would never do this, but…. This “critic” came in claiming he had a reservation when he in fact did not. We managed to have over 30 reservations that evening and were able to handle all of them without a complaint. His lady friend was pushing him about having a reservation and in order to save face with her he made a stink about needing a table. Even going as far as telling our “management” that he was a food critic and deserved a better seat. Our “management” then went above the call of duty and put him at the only two available seats open in the restaurant above others that were on our waiting list. He was then visited three times during his dinner twice by the manager and once by an owner (my husband). On all three occasions, he said things were great and they did not need anything. To top it all off he then demanded to see me during the rush of the evening. When my staff informed him that I could not step away from the kitchen he made a rude gesture and left. What makes him a critic anyway? His VERY brief time in the industry? And now he is posting snide remarks on our restaurant’s Facebook page. Really? I think he is just mad at the manager for not treating him as if he is as important as he thinks he is. The Vault is 2 weeks old now and we are learning from our mistakes. However, letting people talk to us disrespectfully and being inconsiderate of our other guests is not the business we will ever be in.
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Damien Vinyard Reply:
September 25th, 2012 at 4:49 pm
Your first mistake is taking reservations, second reserving 1/3 of your seating for a private party. When you open a restaurant the masses want to try it in the first two months you should only set first avaliable. Resos in that climate are a recipe for angry customers.
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Jeremiah Sep 21, 2012 at 8:21 am
Libby, I love the fact that you call me a liar and add in your own little made-up stories. I’m pretty sure my review was just and fair. The food was great. The bartender, Cindy or something like that, was great. The layout was a tad confusing at first. The manager was nice. The bar was cluttered, as you can see from the pictures. I thought the prices were a tad high. The whole reservation debacle is what set the tone for the evening though. And, if I need to send you an email, or anybody for that matter, of my call log of when I made the “reservation”, then that, in fact, tells me just how you do business. Also, another great decision on your behalf, is how you handled the review. Well done. I’m stoked to come back and see the improvements you made.
Furthermore, I don’t normally make it a habit of saying I’m with Tulsa Food or that I’m doing a review. Out on date night with the wifey, which we don’t get many, I thought I’d change it up, and take her to Tulsa’s newest hot spot. She was excited to be there and excited to be apart of what i do. She is a strong supporter. I’m not a critic. I’m a casual reviewer. A normal person posting my experiences. A food advocate and promoter of eating local, drinking local, and supporting local.
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Matthew Sep 21, 2012 at 9:36 am
It’s too bad the reviewer had a negative experience. I will say though…writing a negative review is one thing, taking the time to seek out the restaurant’s FB page just so you can make negative comments is another. Makes you look like you’re on some sort of crusade. I realize this is a “casual” food review forum, but it seems that the proprietors of the site should expect the writers of the reviews they publish to conduct themselves professionally. The Facebook activity is unprofessional and unnecessary.
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Jeremiah Reply:
September 21st, 2012 at 11:18 am
You’re probably right about the Fb comment. I’ll go ahead and apologize for my actions now on that one.
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Jennifer Sep 21, 2012 at 9:56 am
This article is silly, I would assume this individual has never worked in a restaurant. This would be obvious from your rude behavior. In your response to the owners comment you completely contradict yourself, didn’t the person you spoke to on the phone tell you they do not take “reservations”, this is called preferred seating. Since you were pushed above everyone else (because you falsely claimed you were a critic, which makes me not trust a word you say) you were promptly directed to the “only two seats available”. That being said it was busy and you are not the most important person in the world. Asking to speak with the head chef in the middle of the rush is poor form, if she is working the rush and not mingling this means she is running her business correctly, and you are simply arrogant by thinking she could leave her station just to cater to you huge ego.
For all of you reading this, the vault is awesome, the management is in no way lacking they were busy and this “critic” feels as though he is important. I work downtown and I love the local mom and pop businesses that have revived downtown, do some research before you listen to the arrogance of this small minded “critic”, I promise you will be impressed with the vault.
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lynn Sep 21, 2012 at 10:03 am
Geez, reading the response by the owner makes me wary of going to The Vault. What happens if I ever have a reservation screwed up there? I think I’ll take my business elsewhere.
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Glen Sep 21, 2012 at 11:18 am
Hint to owner: ALL patrons are critics and food “reviewers.” Facebook, twitter, blogs and various other mediums are available to all of us. Thank you 21st century.
Even if you believe both parties involved, it was a miscommunication of epic proportions. Instead of the owner saying “We are going to make this right” or “Sorry, you had a bad experience. Come back and let us show you how great our food, service, layout, décor, and drinks are.” She goes on a tirade to the customer. Whether these people are ass holes or not, a business owner should NEVER do this. A business owner should stand by their products by promoting them and not be responding to “supposed” baseless claims. In today’s technology filled culture it is up to business owners to adapt and be prepared for accidents or policy to be reviewed, broadcast, and shared to the masses, and for 90% of these to be about (hopefully) the occasional bad night or bad decision.
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Libby Auld Reply:
September 21st, 2012 at 10:31 pm
Glen, I would NEVER be rude to a customer. Ask any of my customers I have been serving for the past 4 years at Elote.
However, it is very upsetting that we went above and beyond to fit him in, asked him 3 times how everything was and all 3 times he responded that it was good (My husband, the other business owner also asked him and all wass good). Then to be harsh online in the review and facebook seems so cowardly.
Secondly, A food critic should never review a business with in the first week or drop that they are a critic in order to recieve better service. He definitly needed to be called out on that.
I do wish I had just emailed him directly rather then making this a public debate, but after working 70 hours a week for 3 weeks now, pouring my heart, soul and all my money into something I made a bad descion and wrote it in this public forum. Something I regret because now it is causing drama which I clearly don’t have time for.
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Stephanie Reply:
September 22nd, 2012 at 12:55 am
How interesting, your choice of describing events and hospitality that never occurred.
Let me correct you, being this was, once again, our experience…
1. Directed to upper level bar to seat ourselves. Asked to move bc of reservations for 18, 5 min later. I thought maybe someone was going to finally take our drink order after that long.
2. Went downstairs to hostess to claim our reservation for next in line, lol, since we didnt have 16 others to reserve a single table.
3. No one had listed our name so now that has somehow became our fault, as a paying cutomer, and are to blame for having seated ourselves at the bar since there were 5 empty chairs. (Perhaps those 5 empty chairs went above and beyond to accommodate us bc Jeremiah is an important “critic”)
4. Your mistaken to claim your husband approached us. If your husbands a wonderful 21yr old female bartender named Sydney who took time to treat us politely, then you would be accurate. Check your sources, please.
5. I asked Sydney if you possibly could speak to Jeremiah about your new restaurant so he could gain insight for the review. She’s a sweet girl who is tasteful enough to enlighten you about our behavior and manners regarding our visit.
6. You continue to take this juvenile stand that you were wronged, as if you have NEVER (haha) provided a single customer with a less than good experience. Whether it comes directly from you or through your representing staff, you my dear have now created a much uncalled for debauchery upon yourself and the reputation you once prided yourself on. Read below to grasp how real and important we actually are as PATRONS and cease your labeling of Jeremiah as a critic…bc I’m a witness who heard every word and saw every action that night, amazing how you can testify on your husbands behalf from the enclosed kitchen you poor your heart into.
Jeremiah has a far stronger character and humility than to be known as a critic. It’s sad and unfortunate for you and your husband to show us all publicly how poor your quality of customer satisfaction is through your responses. Sydney was the only great part about our date. We went there for the experience, not a review. The review was jut another excuse, so please don’t indulge in your own arrogance and attack him any further.
He will continue being an honest and fair reviewer bc it’s his passion to cook, eat great food and enjoy a great experience where we receive great service, you strive for that so we expect it when we choose ANY establishment to give our attention to.
It’s just a review, Libby. Pour your energy and efforts into improvements rather than denial or justifications with lies.
Best of luck
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Damien Vinyard Reply:
September 25th, 2012 at 4:55 pm
I’m not aware of the grace period before a critic can hit your restaurant. If your not ready to be reviewed on day one you should probably push back your opening.
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Colin Sep 21, 2012 at 4:20 pm
Thanks for making up my mind on this restaurant Jeremiah. It sounds like everyone wants to talk about everything other than that the food is overpriced for what you get. Libby, I understand you’re a new restaurant and getting things together, but does that mean you’ll be lowering the prices as well? This goes back to what annoys me the most about local Tulsa restaurants. They think we live in NYC and have every right to charge ridiculous prices for their food. A lot of these restaurants go out of business unfortunately. You don’t have to be so proud of your food that you out price the market.
On a side note, really Jeremiah? You told them you were a food critic? Not impressive. What makes you or Brian Schwartz or anyone else, any more qualified to review food than any other random person? What are your credentials? Thanks.
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Jeremiah Reply:
September 21st, 2012 at 8:50 pm
Colin, the reply done so tastefully by the owner was, in fact, not factual. Actually, nothing about it was true except for the fact that I left a snide remark on their Facebook status commenting about reservations.
As far as credentials…what credentials does one need in order to have a good time and eat good food? This is not my first review, nor my last. And this is a casual site done by casual people just like you and I. Specifically in fashion to promote everything local and awesome that Tulsa has to offer. My reviews are generally positive experiences. I don’t act important. But I should be important, as a customer, just like everyone else that walks into any business. I posted my experience. It was not a “bad” review. I don’t discourage people from going somewhere. In fact, I don’t discourage people from going to The Vault. Others are going to formulate their own opinions no matter what. I know it’s a new restaurant, but they are not new to the industry. I know kinks need to be worked out in any new business. Libby’s reply was dishonest though. As dishonest as dishonest can get. Obviously this review was not to her liking, but it still does not warrant a reply so distasteful. Bad form. Bad business. No business owner should reply like that and say the customer is wrong. And do so publicly on top of that. She has lost patrons, that were willing to make it back for another round, to both her restaurants because of her unprofessional response.
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sam Reply:
September 22nd, 2012 at 2:50 pm
I think I smell an ego!
kidding!
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Colin Reply:
September 25th, 2012 at 8:32 am
Jeremiah, no worries at all. I really appreciate the honesty. I feel that this site more times than not is too positive about the restaurants it reviews. And a lot of the restaurants with great reviews go out of business. I will take you at your word that the owner is being dishonest. And unfortunately for her, I will not dine in her establishment. Keep up the good work. And please, keep being honest with your reviews. Other reviewers only positive remarks, do nothing but a disservice to the readers.
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Stephanie Sep 21, 2012 at 8:34 pm
Dearest Libby,
I am deeply disappointed in your actions, regarding your unprofessional response to a patrons experience. I am the wife of Jeremiah Ramey and am personally and professionally offended by your remarks and false accusations. Shame on you & your manager for lacking self control and respect!
You have said nothing remotely accurate in mentioning our experience at your establishment. Since I have worked in the food & beverage industry for over 9 years I have every right as your guest and professional experience to dispute YOUR childish and inexcusable behavior.
Each individual is your guest, regardless of you being reviewed publicly by their experiences. You’re not fit to be in this industry if easily offensive and unwilling to correct a mistake or mistreated situation. It’s customer service.
We will not be returning to Elote or The Vault due to your appalling retort. We do not wish you or your business failure, I genuinely hope you will learn from this incident to better yourself and your representation.
Thank you for your public display of not valuing or respecting your customers and their critiques.
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Downtowner Reply:
September 24th, 2012 at 4:32 pm
I am a little confused why if you all had a reservation or had your name on the preferred seating list you didn’t proceed to the hostess stand when you first got to the restaurant? I’ve been to plenty of restaurants with multiple entrances and only one hostess stand. Common sense tells you to go there first – particularly on a busy night.
Hoping to try out The Vault for myself sometime soon. I have a similar concern for many restaurants in Tulsa that one of the other comments on here already stated regarding pricing themselves out of the market. My husband and I do pretty well and greatly enjoy eating out on occasion, but lately we have been hard pressed to get up the nerve to regularly drop NYC-level cash for dinner in Tulsa (not to say that The Vault is at the pricing level – we have not yet been there to say one way or the other).
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Joe Price Sep 21, 2012 at 8:49 pm
Jeremiah, not cool hitting a new resturant on a busy night without a reservation and throwing around the “food critic” title and complaining about service. Such a rookie move.
Best of luck Libby. I’ll be by soon. Hopefully I will not be so dickish.
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Jeremiah Reply:
September 22nd, 2012 at 5:33 am
Haha! Joe. You crack me up!
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Brett Anderson Sep 22, 2012 at 10:41 am
Wow! This link was sent to me and i was told I had to check it out, Glad I did. I have to say I’m appalled with the response of the owner/chef of this establishment, you believe your staff when they say he never called in like we’re suppose to believe that this experienced reviewer that’s taking his wife out on date is not going to make a reservation?
If I was reviewing this place for my blog I don’t think I would have been so graceful.
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john Reply:
September 22nd, 2012 at 12:52 pm
If Tulsa Food is going to say what you want about a restaurant, the owner should be able to respond to the review. They obviously remember Jeremiah coming in to The Vault and have a different point of view. Why should they not speak out? I like a blog where I can hear both sides.
Tulsa Food’s about us says “Our goal is to provide a place where any Tulsan can come and express their individual feelings, good, bad or otherwise about Tulsa food.”
I see nothing “appalling” about this.
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libby Auld Reply:
September 23rd, 2012 at 1:08 pm
Thank You!
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Larry Sep 22, 2012 at 10:48 am
This is how any owner should reply… ” I’m sorry you had a bad experience sir. We are just in our opening stages and still learning. If I could invite you and your wife back to our restaurant I will personally make sure you have a great seat. The first appetizer is on us! Sorry for your bad experience! We hope for a good relationship. See you soon! “
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Tulsa Zephyr Reply:
September 22nd, 2012 at 12:10 pm
Well said! It would probably have ended on that positive note.
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Jason Reply:
September 22nd, 2012 at 1:15 pm
Agreed 100%
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Glen Reply:
September 22nd, 2012 at 2:12 pm
Well put.
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Paula Reply:
September 23rd, 2012 at 8:22 pm
This self appointed “critic” came into the resturant expecting to be treated BETTER than the regular customer. I don’t like that. I think Libby is being pretty calm about the whole thing. Imagine working your heart out and this guys comes in acting like the king of Tulsa. She had a whole resturant of just regular folks she was taking care of. This reviewer is out of line ….imho
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Donna R. Sep 22, 2012 at 10:55 am
The vault is awesome! It’s a beautifully retrofitted building. The servers and bar tenders are very nice and laid back yet attentive and knowledgeable about what they are serving. Both the food and drink menu is creative and very well executed. It’s refreshing to go to a restaurant with an great mixture of fun and classy. It is also inspiring that Libby is, what, 30?? and now has two restaurants open that has had a HUGE impacted in bringing the beautiful Deco District back to life. These young entrepreneurs are the kind of people helping downtown Tulsa and Oklahoma grow into a more progressive city and a fun place to live. Bravo, Libby! Also, the vault has the best outdoor seating in town.
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Larry Reply:
September 22nd, 2012 at 11:35 am
30? Ya and she did all this by the sweat of her brow, no help from family or husbands money. Get real. Anyone can open a business if they have the right backers.
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Donna R. Reply:
September 22nd, 2012 at 2:14 pm
Larry, you don’t know what you are talking about. I don’t think you open a primarily vegetarian restaurant that promotes sustainability and recycling in what was a rather isolated part of downtown Tulsa, Oklahoma in 2008 with the “right backers”. Also, I believe, she put on the Pop-up shops and Chalkfest and is president of the Downtown Deco District Association. Not to mention the Luchador events they have at Elote. Be as negative as you want, but I am pretty sure this is a young lady sweats a lot of her community and has had a very positive impact on it. This is the kind of eagerness and hard work we need to keep this great momentum going downtown! Again, I say, bravo!
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Donna R. Reply:
September 22nd, 2012 at 2:33 pm
*young lady that sweats a lot for her community
libby Auld Reply:
September 23rd, 2012 at 1:07 pm
Larry, There are no investors, backers or rich parents. Jeramy and I opened Elote with a small business loan backed by the SBA, a 2nd mortgage on our 2 bedroom home and a couple credit cards. Then we built our business and saved for 4 years the money we made there to open the Vault. We have never gotten money from an investor or family member. Just living the dream. And yes, I was 26 years old when we took that leap.
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Jason Sep 22, 2012 at 12:19 pm
Wow. Having owned businesses, I understand taking things personally. But DAMN! Gotta keep that attitude in check. This is just a bad situation for everyone involved. That being said, the next arguement I get into, I want Stephanie on my side.
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Tom Sep 22, 2012 at 5:47 pm
So, do you take reservations?
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Libby Auld Reply:
September 24th, 2012 at 8:12 am
Yes we do. However, if we are already full then we will put your name on a list called preferred seating. Very common in restaurants. Once you arrive your name will be taken to the top of the wait list and we will get you in ASAP, but when you are on the preferred seating list a table is not held for you.
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Matthew Sep 23, 2012 at 5:32 pm
I like pie.
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seikel Reply:
September 25th, 2012 at 4:09 pm
Pie is so much better than cake.
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Eric Sep 24, 2012 at 2:16 pm
I know Libby from when she worked at Chimi’s and haven’t seen her in many years. Libby has what many of you WISH you had. PASSION.
Libby, keep standing up for yourself and your dreams.
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Kat Sep 25, 2012 at 3:46 am
First of all I must say I disagree on the comment about the drinks. After bring pregnant for 9 months, I’ve spoiled myself with drinks like these. I will never be able to buy and enjoy a crappy cocktail again. I don’t think $7-8 is too much for a craft drink mixed with fresh squeezed juices. Go to The Brady Tavern and you’ll spend $10 on a similar drink. If you want cheap drinks, there’s always Applebee’s.
The rest, I feel is an unfortunate situation. Libby probably shouldn’t have jumped so harshly to her own defense but I can understand where she is coming from. To put months of you time and energy into building something just to have critics spit all over before you have had the chance to work the kinks out is unfair. It’s not hard to write a blog criticizing someone hard work. Try opening your own restaurant. Do it while keeping another restaurant a float and raising two kids, then judge.
I’m sure The Vault will get the kinks worked out soon. I love everything about it! You will be missing out if you don’t try it.
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Damien Vinyard Reply:
September 25th, 2012 at 5:01 pm
I agree the price for the cocktails is not out of line, with that said they still need to be perfect. Most tulsans are more the cheap eat crowd.
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Nudge Sep 25, 2012 at 10:03 am
Mention this whole conversation and get a free appetizer!
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Zeke Sep 25, 2012 at 12:03 pm
Wow. I don’t know who comes off worse in this exchange–the blogger who claims he’s a food critic yet is really just a person with a blog writing about food. No offense to the blogger, but having a food blog or a film blog or a photo blog or a blog about your cat or any other sort of blog is not really an accomplishment in these days since it takes about 3 seconds to start a blog and everyone and anyone does it. Just because you have a food blog, it does NOT make you a food critic! I know it is Tulsa and all, where egos get inflated to make you feel like you are accomplishing things that others aren’t…but it’s a damn food blog and you are a damn blogger. It’s that simple. Now, if you turn this gig into a paid position where you are paid to give your opinions, then call yourself a critic, but at the moment, you are a blogger and need to keep the ego in check.
Onward to Libby, the Vault’s owner. Could you have done a more ridiculous, knee-jerk reaction and flat-out stupid thing in actually responding to this review? Hate to break it to y but you come off as an over-sensitive restaurant owner who can’t take a little criticism without going off in a comment field on a food blog and hence look very, very unprofessional. You have damaged your restaurant with your actions by continuing to check in and respond MORE than the review would have I’m guessing [plus, the review actually said nice things about your restaurant, just not the prices and the confusion over seating]. You should have thanked the blogger for the attention and promised to fix any troubles that may have occurred due to the fact the restaurant just opened and you are working your kinks out. Again, like I said in the earlier paragraph about the over-inflated blogger’s ego–this is Tulsa…you really shouldn’t have an ego like this regarding a food blog or a restaurant or really anything. The city is much too small and it just makes everyone look terrible when people read through these comments.
There, I’ve wasted a lot of time responding to a group of overblown egos and doofuses.
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Mark S Sep 25, 2012 at 2:02 pm
Everyone should judge a restaurant only on their experience. Reviews are great but are guidance only. Everything is situational. That said, great restaurants in great cities are known for three things. Great food, great drinks and great service.
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Deb Sep 26, 2012 at 4:44 am
Well…I am just stunned by the drama. Does not matter now what the food or service is like cuz I have no desire to visit. The drama between the “critic” and the owner have turned me off completely. Childish!!!
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Patrick Sep 27, 2012 at 2:35 pm
What is wrong with Libby responding to a critic? There is nothing wrong with a debate.
Jeremiah (and Mrs. Jeremiah for that matter) – http://www.wikihow.com/Become-a-Food-Critic
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Misty Sep 28, 2012 at 3:30 am
I have yet to go to the Vault, I do hope to try it soon. However, I have been a HUGE fan of Elote and all of the extra things that they do as a REAL part of the community. Yes Libby is a business owner, but first and foremost she is also a person and she agreed that it was probably not the best step to respnd, but we ALL have that last straw moment especially when it is something so close to your heart and soul. It doesnt matter if its Taco Bell, Applebees, Ron’s, or Mahogany all places have their off days for one reason or another and it has been stated on here MANY times by other reviewers that they expect things not to be perfect and generally do wait a bit to go to a new place or at least wait to review knowing that people DO use the reviews as a source of info as to if they REALLY want to go. It frustrates me beyond belief how easily people will hold one incident against a restaurant forever……..
I HAVE always said their is nothing wrong with hearing other peoples opinions and taking them in hand with your experience, but dont let others make up your mind for you…form your own opinions
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Vivian Phillips Sep 29, 2012 at 10:24 am
Been to the Vault twice. Once with girlfriends and once with the hubby. Prices were reasonable, service needs a little sharpening. The upstairs bar is a bit hectic; however, we chose to sit and eat there. Great patio seating though.
The bones of a great place are there. After watching Elote evolve I look forward to the future of the Vault.
Libby, don’t know you but haters are going to hate. Head up, heart forward. You will do well.
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Steven Oct 1, 2012 at 11:06 am
Ah, So now I get it. If you read both what he wrote, and what Libby wrote and put it together you can see what probably happened here.
The reviewer called for a reservation and was given call ahead seating because all the reservations were filled. We don’t know if he was told they don’t take reservations (his story) or if he was told all the reservations were full (the owners story). When he gets to the restaurant he does not go to the hostess stand because he spots an empty area and takes a seat. After all he knows he does not have a reservation. After 3-4 minutes he is asked to move because the spot is reserved. Now he’s upset over others being given reservations when he was not. So he LIES (by his own admission, read what he says in the review) and says he has a reservation. When his non-existent reservation is not found he tosses a fit and informs the staff that he is a very important food critic and needs a seat. He in fact does get seated immediately ahead of others presumably in front of him on the call ahead list but he’s still pissed and upset over the seats that he was given. What a jerk. He lies and gets seated in something like five minutes in a packed restaurant that he didn’t have a reservation at and still sees fit to trash the place over how poorly he was treated. Very low class.
This particular reviewer should not writing here anymore.
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Dummy Oct 8, 2012 at 3:03 pm
Jeremiah is a self important flamboyant idiot, not suprising he waved his hands in the air screaming “look at me, i can write real good!”n when he walked in to a new restaurant.
and yeah, you do not write reviews of new restaurants. every last one of them will have some kinks that need to work out.
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Lady Patron Nov 9, 2012 at 7:41 pm
I was there last night and it was a great experience. I even referred some people who were dropping by tonight. If I were Libby I would have absolutely done the same thing and defended my restaurant from an obviously biased writer who had his ego hurt in front of his girlfriend. Please get in line sir. You are not special. You can’t base it all on one experience anyway. People may have bad nights. Restaurants may have bad nights but they clearly tried to make it up, to your satisfaction that is. There are just some people who will never be happy during any circumstances. The drinks might have been a little on the higher side but that is subjective. Given the atmosphere I was ok with it. Depends on what you are having anyway. People should give it a try and decide for themselves. My bet is that you will enjoy the place.
Great that you are living the dream and here’s hoping that the restaurant does well & is here for some time.
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mike Nov 11, 2012 at 4:37 pm
Well, I don’t know why I’m posting on this thread except that it’s raining and I’m bored.
Overall this situation is completely a failure to communicate–on both sides.
Let’s go through it step by step.
Jeremiah calls for reservations and is told the Vault does not take reservations, but he can be put on the wait list and be first in line when he arrives. The Vault says they have both, reservations and a wait list. Upon arrival, he works his way around the room, sees that it is busy downstairs and asks about seating in the Tom Tom room. He doesn’t tell the waitress that he is on the wait list and has made no effort to tell anyone else, even though he sees the room downstairs and could fairly assume that there is a hostess there. The waitress tells him he can take a seat in the Tom Tom room (even though it has been reserved). He had been told they don’t take reservations, and why was he seated there if the room was reserved? His wife, Stephanie says that they went downstairs to claim their reservations for the wait list but is informed that they are not on the list. She also says they were directed to the upper level bar to seat themselves. Had they gone downstairs and been directed back up? Were they directed to sit at the bar or at a table, or did they seat themselves at the bar? Were they directed to do anything? The versions are unclear about any of this, particularly the order of events.
They are seated at a table, wait for 4 to 5 minutes and then are asked to move. According to Libby he then makes a stink, and that he claims he is a food critic. We are never sure when the stink was made, when he was asked to move or after finding out he was not on the list. We are not even sure if the stink occurred. He has never said that he was a critic in his version, although his wife denies he ever did. Libby says they are given a table ahead of others on the list. Libby also says they were approached several times to ask if everything was OK, and the response was yes. I assume that Jeremiah and Stephanie were referring, in their positive response, to the food and not to the seating debacle.
One cannot really see what happened here. Overall this is a mess and poor choices were made by both parties. It seems that Jeremiah could have been more responsible and flexible. The restaurant really needs to be more responsible in explaining their reservation policy on the phone, and making notations re: phone reservations. The waitress should have never seated them in the Tom Tom room.
As well as poor choices, there have been overreactions on the part of both parties and several of the commentators on this thread. As to weather or not Jeremiah should have related this experience, in the end, Larry’s response as to how the restaurant should have reacted is right on. Zeke and Mark S. also make great points. Weather or nor Jeremiah is a critic or reviewer and weather or not Libby should have responded is irrelevant, he is what he is and she has the right to respond, but as Tulsa Zephyr says, it could have ended on a positive note. Go to the Vault and make your own decisions, Jeremiah did like the food.
By the way, my 87 year old mom just visited the Vault, and she related that the waitress did not know what the fish of the day was. Also, upon finding out, the waitress also said they had only 4 or 5 portions, and this was just after opening. She said that the kitchen was not quite prepared for opening, I forgot why. She said she could not distinguish the waitresses as waitresses, although the waiters were wearing black pants and white shirts. So it seems there is still room for improvement. She did enjoy the food, and said she would go back.
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Cheri Dec 3, 2012 at 6:35 pm
Love The Vault, by far my favorite new restaurant, with lots of great new choices downtown. I have no problem with a $10 lunch of truly delicious homemade soup, a yummy and original half sandwich, homemade pickle and chips. My daughter opted end for a terrific salad rather than the soup and loved it! Jason in the Tom Tom room has good advice. Take it. Oh, and the bruschetta is well worth $14. It’s a HUGR, fascinating, delicious experience. The word war going on above is a little shocking as the article was well written, but sounds childish and inconsistent with all of the mixed messages he describes. The owners words sounds like how I’d defend my children if the need arose. Just probably never on a public forum. Having said that, if you miss this experience the loss will be yours. They WILL thrive, regardless. It’s too cool, vintage, delicious in every way, to NOT succeed.
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Trip Dec 14, 2012 at 9:58 pm
“It is not the critic who counts: not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles or where the doer of deeds could have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly, who errs and comes up short again and again, because there is no effort without error or shortcoming, but who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, who spends himself for a worthy cause; who, at the best, knows, in the end, the triumph of high achievement, and who, at the worst, if he fails, at least he fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who knew neither victory nor defeat.”
Theodore Roosevelt
“Citizenship in a Republic,”
Speech at the Sorbonne, Paris, April 23, 1910
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