44 Sports Bar and Grill opens next week in downtown Kentlands.
Tony Massenburg, the “Tony” of Tony and James, is still in charge but has parted ways with his former partner James Lloyd, “for a lot of reasons,” said 44’s Vice President Lanie Nikes. “There was a lot of mismanagement since they opened Tony and James, and Tony felt it was best to move forward on his own.”
“The name really got slung through the mud,” added Nikes. “Tony has always had a good reputation, so this hasn’t been fun for him.”
Nikes said that 44 will be a sports bar, “but not just wings and beer. You can get good quality food. There’s a healthier outlook, good variety, yet still a sports bar.”
The large upstairs space, which has always seemed tricky for previous owners, will be put to good use, said Nikes. They plan to use it for kids’ and corporate events and parties, and as a general gathering area in the restaurant. Nikes promises that 44 will be more family-friendly than the locations in the past.
“The assumption is that the cops are always there. It’s exactly the opposite,” he said.
They are currently hiring an entirely new staff — jobs for new servers, host/hostess, cooks, and managers are posted on craigslist.
“We are examining, ‘What went wrong? Why was the service so bad? Why did the food go downhill? What happened there?’ We are taking the criticism and are trying our best to change that. Tony wants to really do a better job for the neighborhood and the community moving forward,” said Nikes.
Massenburg, who played basketball for the University of Maryland and several NBA teams, has already added his own personal touch in his choice of a name the new restaurant. He wore the number 44 and now wants to highlight some of the great athletes who wear or have worn that number, including Hank Aaron, Reggie Jackson, Jerry West and, of course, NFL Hall of Famer John Riggins.
As for Massenburg’s role, “Tony will take a more hands-on approach this time. He’s dedicated to improvement,” said Nikes. “44 will be whatever the community needs. We are going to do everything we can to cater to the neighborhood. We want to know the community better. We want people to be regulars.”
What 44 Sport need is to step back and reinvent itself. The fact is that bars are a by gone era. Owners that are not actively involved in the daily opperation and do not apply a high standard will not succeed! The days of owning and opperating a restaraunt and bar from a far are long gone. The industry is dominated by culinarian’s who are hands on. What is happening with 44 Sports is that is owned and operated by a person who made money in another industry and knows nothing about the business except what they learned by trial and err.
I went to Club 44 one night only because I stumbled on it. We had waiter named Todd who was GREAT! His sense of humour and service made up for everything the club lacked.
I will go back but only when he is working!
I eat at Tony and James and the food was great they have made some changes and look like they are going for the long run I wish the the best of luck and keep up the good work I strongly suggest you go and see your self.
I gave 44 a 2nd chance because my cousin lives 10 steps away. The same manager (6’2 African American with dread lochs) was UNDESCRIBABLY rude, the lovely bartender (strawberry red head female) made up for it in impecible service the warmest bartender I have had the pleasure of meeting (although forgot her name)made up for it! Tony I am a current bar owner and felt low and disgraced in front of your maneger on duty, we had a party of 5 drinking Top shelf liquor with tabs still open . The Manager turned all TV’s off then music! We would have made the tab triple until we asked ” sir are you trying to close?” he say’s as he looked at his watch ” Yea (not yes) EVENTUALY”" we paid up and left in disgust! PLEASE KILL THE STIGMA OF THAT SPOT YOU OCCUPY ..Please we want a place to go every night with nice people! I hate to say your Bud light tastes the same as your competitors just minutes away.
I live in Kentlands and this same manager they speak of is the thorne of the place!!!! I am a bartender in DC I would rather drive to DC and back risk police than put up with that pricks BS! To the owner it is a tuff buisness you NEED TO BE THERE LATE NIGHT ! These are your regulars (drinker$) please stay and meet us ,we will make the place PROMISE!Your Mod is terrible and not a people person! Just a person collecting a pay check..
Sincerly
Mikey D Barstarsdc@gmail.com
My wife and I really enjoyed ourselves last night at the 44 sports bar new years eve celebrations. I think we just might have found a new hang out. Keep up the good work.
I REALLY want to like this place. When it reopened as 44 the quality was, at first, leaps and bounds above what T&J was. It ran like an actual business and people were served food on time and the preparation was good. It seems that their wait staff may have turned over again or something because the last time I was there we had to wait over an hour for 3 entrees which, when served, were not even very good. The Tilapia went untouched, the fish and chips was half eaten and the chili was served cold.
How it takes an hour to prepare that is mind blowing to me, especially since I saw the chef continually walk out of the back to either smoke or go upstairs.
The bill was almost instantly put on the table when we asked for it but it took the waiter nearly 20 minutes to PICK IT UP. When he came back he reeked of tobacco so I imagine he and the line cook were back by the dumpsters smoking.
There was hardly anyone in the whole restaurant and, by the time we were done, it had taken 2 hours to have some appetizers and entrees. And the food wasn’t even any good.
This place just seems to slide down in quality really fast, no matter who owns it. It’s disappointing.
It’s a great place to drink though.
The problem is many people are outright lying for some reason. The individual who claimed to have been there opening night obviously was not and I doubt many of the other people were either.
If people don’t like an establishment that’s perfectly fine, but at least go and be honest about your experience. Don’t make up lies for whatever reason.
So, I’ve been reading some of these threads and posts and am finding it difficult to understand all of this negativity. I am friends with quite a few of the staff that worked at the previous “Tony and James”, and yes that was bad for them, and that was when they were not being paid, but it had nothing to do with Tony, hence why he bought James out. By the way, I have a speeding issue too! The person who is posting all of this, have you personally talked with him about this? My boyfriend lives in the Kentland’s, and we would go to Tony and James occasionally, and yes it was bad food, service and very understaffed. However, “44″ is nothing like that. Every time we’ve been the service has been stellar, the food very good, and the atmosphere fun. It’s good to see people back in this location supporting the local community business. I will go back as long as it stays open!
We have been to 44 twice now since it opened. Loved the food both times and our server, “Tyler” was very attentive and personable. The hostess “Christy” was very nice too. We especially enjoyed being able to watch multiple football games at the same time. A very good experience overall.
I always take reviews of places on-line with a huge grain of salt, as I know people like to hide behind their computers, spread lies, and just do damage because their life is so bad. I just returned from 44 after stumbling upon it by accident. Great food, great for my son, the TVs were cool, and Tony came out to talk to us. He was a nice guy. He mentioned he was going to have Ladies Nights, 80s nights, R & B nights, and he’s going to have jazz this Friday showcasing a cool group, Secret Society. I wish nothing but the best for him. I know I’ll be supporting him. I’ve been looking for a good social spot to go to around Gaithersburg, since I’m not a beer drinker, I like to dance so I don’t want to just sit and eat, I’m not a college student, I can’t speak Spanish, and I like mature, mixed crowds who like to have fun (and not fight).
“Some people think the location is cursed.” Sounds like the drama at this location is what killing the business not the location. Maybe they should stick to playing basket ball.
Always anxious to try a new restaurant, I was very happy to try 44 Sportss shortly after you opened. My happiness did not last.
The food was only mediocre, service was poor and the attitude of the staff was less than desirable. Feeling as though I would like to give your restaurant another chance, I went back several weeks later, after hearing you had a new chef and things were looking up. Much to my surprise, the food was great, though still over priced, service had improved as had the staff attitude.
How disappointed I now am having been back for the fourth or fifth time. What has happened? The food, attitude, service, everything is worse than the first time I was there.
Apparently Tony is set for failure. Not only will I never dine there again, but I have shared my experience with others, many of whom have had similar dining experiences. What happened during the past several weeks? It looks as though success for this location, at last, is not to be.
You were on the road to success after a very rocky start. What changed? Over priced dishes, mediocre flavors, poorly prepared, lack of variety, poor service, attitude, all the above, has set your course for failure.
An Unhappy Diner.
That sounds like you had a bad experience (can I ask why you went back 4-5 more times?). Each time I have gone I have had some pretty good food. What did you have?
‘What happened during the past several weeks’
It has only been open a few weeks.
‘Over priced dishes, mediocre flavors, poorly prepared, lack of variety, poor service, attitude, all the above, has set your course for failure.’
I really would like to ask what your price point is because nothing there is very expensive at all. I mean $15 is one of the highest prices there. If that is breaking your bank than I hate to say it, but you probably should not be going out to eat anywhere.
Each to their own though. I’ve had a good time there. Sorry you haven’t (if you indeed are telling the truth).
wow, i’m suprised to see how rude people can be just because other people are sharing their OWN insights on the restaurant. It’s their OWN opinion so don’t question it nor criticize them for it, that’s just really low of you to do. Everyone has their own taste, respect them for trying to help others by sharing their own experiences. Not everyone will agree, but you need to keep that to yourself and not be so disrespectful.
The person is obviously lying so it’s easy to question them. To act like the prices are crazy is a little out of line and, if you honestly think the prices are crazy and the service is awful, why are you going back 4-5 times?
In the end, there are a lot of ulterior motives for slamming the place and it would help if people were just honest.
My husband and I went to 44 sports bar and grill this weekend and had good time. The food was great, the atmosphere was upbeat and lively and the staff was friendly and accommodating. It’s obvious that the owners and staff have put a lot of time and effort into rebranding this restaurant and I think it shows. We’d certainly go again!
Went to the new 44 sports bar last night to watch Monday night football and i have to say, it was pretty good. The menu is very limited but everything my husband and I ordered came out on time and was very tasty. I had the pulled pork sandwich (great bbq sauce) that came with fries and cole slaw. The fries were good and the coleslaw was good (except it had a little too much dressing).
My husband had the cheeseburger and he said it was way better than the burger he had there when it was Tony and James. I do like that they are trying to add those tables with the beer taps in them (they are really popular at a lot of new sports bars in DC) but I would suggest they get new standalone (not booth) tables. I hate sitting at those tables near the bar area because they don’t really give you any leg room. My husband is very tall and he always has to sit sideways because his legs don’t fit under the table.
All in all I think it’s an improvement over Tony and James. Yes the menu is small but it’s better to make 5 things perfect than 40 things mediocre. Hopefully, more people will give it a try.
As an 8-year Kentlands/Lakelands resident, I have seen local restaurants and shops come and go. The ones that succeed are those that consistently exceed customer expectations. The market is too fickle to sustain businesses that don’t hit that high standard. It’s not enough to be in a prime spot, serving “good food” and offering “friendly service.” Tony Massenburg’s vision for “44″ had better be a whole lot more demanding than that, or we can look forward to yet another failed enterprise in perhaps the best business location in town. Give us at least one compelling reason to patronize you! (see Five Guys, Bonefish, O’Donnell’s, Jersey Mike’s, Panera, Vasili’s, etc.)
Geez. Either go or don’t go. Either give them (Tony and his new staff) a shot, or don’t. With all the lengthy hate-filled messages, you’d think there’s more to some of these posts than opinions about food, staff or restrooms!
Just saying.
By the way. I will be there tonight for the UFC! Good…bad or indifferent…it’s gonna save me $50! :p
Ease up.
I went last night for the UFC fight and had a great time. For everyone complaining about bathrooms, they looked new and clean.
The service in general seemed to be going well (my service was pretty good) and people seemed to enjoy their food. I had the wrap and thought it was pretty decent. I would order it again with no hesitation if I was in the mood for it.
I thought one of the most telling signs was that Tony himself made the rounds all night, talking individually to each patron (and for as long as they wanted to talk). I think he’s being very honest about trying to make this work in the Kentlands.
Had a great time and I hope people give it a shot once it is out of the ‘soft opening’ stage (my understanding is that the menu is still somewhat in flux until the grand opening).
If you check out the public records on the Maryland Judiciary website it shows that Massenburg is being sued by more than a few people who never got paid from the last version of the restaurant – and he also has a speeding habit and may be driving on a suspended license. Good neighbor..? I think not…
Has the liquor license changed hands?
Who cares? Why does this matter at all and why would it?
it matter that he does not pay his staff because not being compensated for ones labor is slavery! Toney must thing restaruant employees are slaves
One, what does that have to do with a liquor license changing hands? Why would it change hands?
Two, I can’t directly speak for employees complaining since I have never worked there but it must be different now that the partnership has been dissolved and they have had a fairly large staff in there consistently. I doubt people would just keep working if they never get paid.
Let’s leave the slavery issue out of this because that’s laughable and not comparable at all.
I really don’t understand the weird hate this place seems to being out. Judging by your poorly typed post I am going to assume you simply want to cause problems for some ulterior motive.
Tony or new partner responding to post: “Massenburg is being sued by more than a few people who never got paid from the last version of the restaurant . . .” thus my comment.
Wow was looking for a place close to watch the game with the crew, but after reading this post I think we take a pass on it. I been it the foodservice business long enough to know what going on around there. It a pity, looked like a nice place from the outside.
‘Tony or new partner responding to post: “Massenburg is being sued by more than a few people who never got paid from the last version of the restaurant . . .” thus my comment.’
That has nothing to do with a liquor license changing hands at all. I still can’t understand why you think that is a relevant point.
And comparing it to slavery is absolutely absurd. If the employees aren’t being paid they can (and should) leave. That isn’t slavery.
This is all ridiculous though (and sort of off point) since the place seems to be doing very well so far. The food and service are good and people seem like they are having a lot of fun in there. Tony seems to be building something that Kentlands residents, like myself, really wanted.
of course not, they would never give a business with this type of rep liquor license. Just like everything else around there, BS
The business has a liquor license. I’m not sure what you are talking about here.
I am a staunch critic of the myriad restaurants that have been at this location and will continue to be critical until it is decent, however, digging up someone’s personal records on the MD judiciary site is a bit much. Having a speeding habit doesn’t make him any less of a neighbor than anyone else. Actually, i know quite a bit about many of my Kentlands/Lakelands neighbors and their habits that would make you cringe. Let’s focus on the restaurant.
Making it in the restaurant/bar business is defintely hard, somewhat of a longshot and there’s no magic formula for success. But I’d bet that eventually some place will do well in the location.
My advice would be to pick a few things and do them as well as possible. I’m not so sure being a sports bar can, by itself, ‘sell’ too well these days…especially around here, where some have media rooms and such to watch games. But…
I do believe success is possible. Maybe on the back of some fun promotions. More likely on the back of a few menu items executed well and consistently – especially interesting items. For instance, Jimmy’s in Herndon has poutine on the menu – a simple dish that makes them kind of unique. Champions in Georgetown made their name years ago through sheer promotion – hosting teams, hosting fans of teams, hosting TV shows, etc, sometimes 3 and 4 promos deep in a single night. Mike O’Harra (the owner) was essentially a PT Barnum for sports and practically invented the sports bar – and ultimately it made him rich.
No matter what the course, it needs to be a continual ‘drip’ style investment of continuous focus and commitment. It isn’t enough to put the pieces in place and sit back and wait for success, rather it is a relentless focus on “what did we do good today, and how can we do more of it, better, tomorrow?” With that kind of approach, the place will evolve and grow – and hopefully net success.
It doesn’t have to be money loser to give people what they want, though it may not make money at first. What will make money in the long run won’t have anything to do with the investment made on Day 1, rather on the small investments (of time, quality, focus, etc) on everyday after Day 1.
And one word on consistency: while I understand the economic appeal of having someone like an outside promoter host a party at the place on a night like new years, also know that doing that, even for one night, pretty much destroys the idea of having neighborhood regulars…for the same reasons that my spouse going on just one date with someone else would wreck our marriage. “Just for one night” isn’t an excuse to bring any risk to the neighborhood.
That consistency explains the bathroom issue – the old Tony and James website showed beautiful close-ups of fine dining, then people experience disapointment at the restrooms. Jimmy’s is pretty dumpy, but is consistently dumpy, there are no surprises. Same with Champions.
UPOD: under promise, over deliver. The whole restaurant is only as good as the worst part of it – servers, bathrooms, lettuce, volume, whatever. Find the inconsistencies and fix them or eliminate them. Survival depends on it. Good luck.
The location is cursed because the financial obstacles are daunting. First the rent. I looked into that space but the base rent was $27,000 a month with an override. Think about how many people can actually get there. The Mayor and Council forced Planning and Permits to issue permits to Five Guys and other businesses even though their permits violated the parking restrictions for Market Square. And now everyone knows that the businesses in Market Square a starving for customers. Why? Because they can’t find a parking space. Same thing for the live-work units.
So it is simple arithmetic that is taught in fourth grade. Add up the costs and then try to pay for them with the handful of customers who will fight their way into Market Square instead of going to Rockville where there is tons of parking or Rio or Bethesda……no can do. So there is no ghost in that space, it is the victim of faulty city planning overridden exacerbated by the meddling of our elected leaders.
I have to honestly ask, have you ever been to the Kentlands? There are 2 enormous parking lots on either side of the main block (one by Petsmart, which stretches out to Whole Foods, and the other along side Bally’s, stretching all the way to Bucca). A whole 60 second walk from everything. Really large lots.
I also don’t know where you got the idea that business is starving. The turnover is very small and the only location having real problems is the old Tony and James/Zodiac/Mango. In fact, that location is surrounded by business (and restaurants) up and down the street that have been here for a very long time.
Have to agree with Brett on this one.
Sadly, Brett is right. If you walk around the Kentlands you will see numerous empty storefronts including Baja Fresh(which is STILL empty) and the newly gone-out-of-business Marble Slab. Oh, BTW, guess where Marble Slab is moving to,… Rockvile Town Square! Spot on, Brett!
Brett is wrong though. He is attributing this to parking. Parking is not a problem at all.
Many stores have been main stays of the Kentlands for decades and never had a problem finding customers.
Stores and restaurants are constantly dropping in and out of Rockville town square as well. That is the simple reality of customer service. RTS could not even find enough people willing to buy into their condos so they had to flip over half of them into rentals and even then they are operating far under capacity.
For instance, do you know why Marble is moving there? Giffords went out of business there.
In the end, stores will open and close and RTS is no mecca for them. The Kentlands has had plenty of successes (and parking has never been an issue whatsoever).
I was in attendance last night for Paula Ross’s party which was cancelled because of the weather, but that was a good thing. The owner was screaming and cursing at the employees. It a good thing that the kids party was cancelled because there where only a few young children to here him. Not I understand why the place was the bad reputation that it does!!!!
That’s weird that you and several children were supposedly in there since the whole restaurant is still closed and has not opened yet.
Hi, this is Andrew (Paula is my wife). We had a great experience at 44 last week for Paula’s rained-out campaign event for their pre-opening. The staff was extremely nice, the food was great, and we were not easy customers with all of our kids burning off steam running around the empty restaurant.
I have no idea who “Steve” was – there were only about 20 of us and we were all so happy with everything – I know everyone very well. Tony and Lanie even went as far as to pick up everyone’s check because they said they were still working out the kinks – however, we tipped their staff a lot because we felt they were so good.
Whoever Steve is, please contact me or Paula to discuss. Otherwise, I firmly believe that poster is a fraud who has some type of agenda.
BUSTED Steve! Thats pretty low ,if you have to make up a story and get caught by the husband of the party thrower. WOW.
All I have to say there’s a lot of people who have commented on this article and have said negative things. The comment above from Steve, really should make everyone question the validity of some of these reviews, just saying… I’m going to check this place out for myself this weekend and make my own conclusion..
Like the times I was at Tony and James it was cool. The beer was cold, the game was on and the floor show staring the staff and the customers about the food & service was like far better then watching the half time show. So what seems to be the problem here?
Well it’s a sports bar so is anyone started a betting pool on it yet? What are the odds on it being “the same old crap just different flies?”
No doubt everything about Tony & James was bad. Each time (3) I went, things got progressively worse. For a sports bar to barely last through one football season, it had to be awful.
I’m a sports fanatic, and enjoy the atmosphere of a good sports bar. While I appreciate the intention to make it more of an upscale, healthier, menu than the typical wings and beer bar, mixing the target market leaves everyone dissatisfied in my opinion. Expensive food and loud music is not the formula for attracting regulars of the typical sports fan variety. Likewise, fine diners aren’t interested in competing with a bunch of rowdy game watchers. And, most importantly, nobody likes poor food at a high price.
I wish Tony luck and I hope 44 is a success. I intend to give it another shot, but won’t be slow to pull the plug if it’s more of the same.
A last comment, I’m not a nut about bathrooms but I did notice that the mens room was a mess on T&J’s opening night. It looked like it hadn’t been touched since Zodiac closed. Something to keep in mind for grand opening part II.
I tried T&James and never returned after eating there twice. It was a disappointment as Mango and also when it was Zodiac Grill. The food was always sub par and the service was never memorable. T&James was even worse.
Dining there the second time with a table of friends, they were out of steak, chicken and shrimp. One sandwich was “subbed out” for one diner (without asking her first) because they were out of half the ingredients necessary to make it. We had a hard time understanding how a restaurant could be out of just about every protein on their menu. It soon became evident when we had a bartender who ignored us that evening for the few patrons (read: friends of his receiving free drinks all night long) at the bar. We were a large table wanting to eat a full meal and order multiple drinks and he made it impossible. I remember getting up for my own napkins, getting up and retrieving ketchup myself. It was the pits and none of us ever returned (after we made sure to note comments regarding our night on FB).
I think this community isn’t going to support something else mediocre going in. I think most families might give you one try out of desperation but if nothing is new except a touch up of the paint and a menu with substandard service printed in a different font with the same old items, the community WILL NOT SUPPORT YOU. I agree with the above….44 is likely the number of days you’re open before we all realize that this is just another lame renter in this location.
If you really wanted to do something novel, why not turn it into what the old Mrs. O’Leary’s was to this area? How about a comedy club, a dessert bar like Finale in Boston…anything unique, different and something we all haven’t seen time and again. I don’t know about anyone else, but I need another overpriced chicken finger served from an angry 19 yr. old about as badly as you need this review.
Thanks, but no thanks, 44. Not even if you’re treating (and your marketing department won’t be smart enough to suggest and think to do that to win us back).
I think a sports bar would be great to have in the area since there really isn’t anything like that around (outside of Rockefella’s). It sounds like some people just want it to fail for no discernible reason though.
While I understand the feeling that there should be something ‘new’ there, I don’t know what people expect. A comedy club? Are you serious? That would really be one of the worst ideas imaginable. A giant two story dessert bar in the Kentlands?
Look, I’m all for people not going after they try it once and find it disappointing or lacking. But at least give it a shot. Tony obviously cared enough to buy out James (who was disliked by just about everyone in the Kentlands due to many suspect activities, as well as his personal behavior) and try and give the community something they want. So why not see if anything has changed?
If they redo the menu and the quality/price points then why wouldn’t you want to go? Do you have something against a decent bar in the area that has quality food for moderate prices?
I’m hoping it sticks around and is successful. Maybe they can cultivate a Gordon Biersch type atmosphere without all of the awful people that go there.
We ate at Tony and James and had a horrible experience. The party included my parents, my husband and me and our daughter. We ordered calamari – which arrived undercooked (yuck). There was nothing for my daughter to eat! A family friendly restaurant needs to have a kids menu – 3 chicken tenders for $10 (no fries or anything!) is not a kids meal. Two of us ordered chopped salads with chicken (we had to pay extra for the chicken) which should actually have been chopped – what arrived was a field greens salad with three tiny circles of chicken – for which we paid $17 each! When we asked the waiter about it he just shrugged and walked away. We also ordered a crab cake – which was terrible. If it’s not all crab don’t put it on the menu! If it’s about the size of a quarter – don’t serve it. Charge what you need to charge but make sure it’s a nice serving and that it’s, you know, actually crab!!
I’m excited about the prospect of a new sports bar – and expect to see mostly bar food! Please, if you’re interested in input from the community – serve reasonable portions for reasonable prices!! We are a community with kids and families! Have some healthy choices and some fun stuff for kids! Have some fun and healthy choices for adults! We’ll give you guys a chance – but if it’s terrible we won’t be back!!! Thanks~!
Are you telling me you will judge an entire food establishment by the restroom? For judging businesses, you’ll have to work on the judging criteria a little more to be fair. Someone could have had a bad stomach minutes before you walked in, any number of things could have happened. I can understand if you add on that when the restroom is messed up, you call attention of management and judge how fast they attend to the messed up rest room, that I can understand. How fast they respond to the call will show how they feel about their customers and customer service. I see an unbalance scale in your judgement methods. Give the guy a break. I know how hard it is to keep a businesses afloat in montgomery county per the regulations and cost. Let’s support our local businesses to keep them alive.
You absolutely can judge a restaurant by it’s bathroom. If they can’t keep the bathroom clean, how clean can the kitchen be? Just saying.
Fred, we appreciate the opportunity to win your business back. We, also, recognized the bathrooms were an issue and have taken steps to improve them. Please introduce yourself when you stop back by, I would like the chance to talk with you further.
Same decor + same menu (burgers, wings, fries….yay)+ same owner + same clientele + same theme = same disappointment. People aren’t going to buy the BS that Tony was a silent partner and wasn’t aware what was happening in HIS establishment. It will be interesting to see the price point form some of this ‘original’ fare. 44 = how many days they operate before changing the name again.
Likewise. We dined as a family one time at Tony and James. The service was below par, but I’m willing to write that off as a new restaurant working the bugs out. But no one at our table had a good meal. I had an entree caesar salad that was an overchopped gloppy mess swimming in dressing. Never went back. How do you screw up a salad? Atmoshpere is one piece of the puzzle, but if the kitchen is serving up awful meals, you’re sunk. Tony, I hope you have put a strong focus on the chef this time, nevermind the tv screens and party room.
every time i went to Tony & James it sucked !!! service was bad and upstairs was always closed.. they brought back 1 old bartender but that didn’t help the place. food was over priced and the beers to.
i use to go to The Last Mango alot. the thurs night $1.00 drafts and the bands on friday and sat where great.
Zodiac Grill just sucked and bad. over priced beers and
mix drinks and the owner where assholes…
this place will never live up to what it can be with out the right people … i don’t think what they are doing will help
but we will see
My wife always looks at the bathrooms to judge the the quality of the ownership. The womens room upstairs has historically been a mess. After one visit to Tony & James we never returned.
This was during the first week you opened. We are in our late 40′s and 50′s.
Our friends are wine drinkers. We frequent the Wine Harvest, O”donnells, and BoneFish. We will give you one try. You only get one chance to make a first impression If you fix the ladies bathroom and have a good selection of wines we may add you to the list.