Getting hurt at La Casina restaurant by the temp waitress

[Denise2026]

On June 1st we went to eat dinner at La Casina. We come to St. Barth for the past 10 years, never had any issue. However this time at La Casina a waitress passed by my daughter and hit her in the head with her elbow after which she drops the tray full of glasses and dishes. Some pieces of glass cut my daughter's leg in 2 places. She was bleeding and started to cry. The hit in her head was not that minor either. However I tried to comfort her. Nobody came to apologize immediately. Some time went by and since my daughter was crying and getting very upset the waitress came by to apologize and saying it was an accident. No drink, no desert was being offered as a nice gesture. At the end I was being asked for tip, I was showing on the screen where to leave a tip. Are you guys at La Casina serious about this? You hit my daughter in the head, she didn't sleep all night, she left bleeding, and you ask me for tip?? Now I regret for not calling the police and refuse to pay!! The next day we found out that the manager Matis hired his girlfriend that night as a waitress for extra money. This is why he tried to minimize the horrible behavior and incident he basically caused by getting in someone inexperienced. I would like to speak with Mimi and ask for the 2 of them, Matis and His waitress girlfriend to pay my bill. Plain and simple!! It's not just food that matters, how to treat your (US) customers as well..

 

[Nscyber09]

That is completely unacceptable and I’m terribly sorry you and your daughter went through this. This whole tipping demand/ask really needs to be dealt with as well.

 

[Max1030]

That is completely unacceptable and I’m terribly sorry you and your daughter went through this. This whole tipping demand/ask really needs to be dealt with as well.

If they ask they don't receive. Very simple.

 

[Max1030]

On June 1st we went to eat dinner at La Casina. We come to St. Barth for the past 10 years, never had any issue. However this time at La Casina a waitress passed by my daughter and hit her in the head with her elbow after which she drops the tray full of glasses and dishes. Some pieces of glass cut my daughter's leg in 2 places. She was bleeding and started to cry. The hit in her head was not that minor either. However I tried to comfort her. Nobody came to apologize immediately. Some time went by and since my daughter was crying and getting very upset the waitress came by to apologize and saying it was an accident. No drink, no desert was being offered as a nice gesture. At the end I was being asked for tip, I was showing on the screen where to leave a tip. Are you guys at La Casina serious about this? You hit my daughter in the head, she didn't sleep all night, she left bleeding, and you ask me for tip?? Now I regret for not calling the police and refuse to pay!! The next day we found out that the manager Matis hired his girlfriend that night as a waitress for extra money. This is why he tried to minimize the horrible behavior and incident he basically caused by getting in someone inexperienced. I would like to speak with Mimi and ask for the 2 of them, Matis and His waitress girlfriend to pay my bill. Plain and simple!! It's not just food that matters, how to treat your (US) customers as well..

What an absolute horrible experience. I am shocked they did not try and do anything about this.

 

[davesmom]

I agree with Max; equally shocked. Mimi has always been super nice and I doubt she would be pleased to hear how badly you were treated. I would totally contact her. No proprietor would want to NOT know about such an incident as she seems like a responsible owner. Wishing your daughter a full recovery and better days.

 

[cec1]

On June 1st we went to eat dinner at La Casina. We come to St. Barth for the past 10 years, never had any issue. However this time at La Casina a waitress passed by my daughter and hit her in the head with her elbow after which she drops the tray full of glasses and dishes. Some pieces of glass cut my daughter's leg in 2 places. She was bleeding and started to cry. The hit in her head was not that minor either. However I tried to comfort her. Nobody came to apologize immediately. Some time went by and since my daughter was crying and getting very upset the waitress came by to apologize and saying it was an accident. No drink, no desert was being offered as a nice gesture. At the end I was being asked for tip, I was showing on the screen where to leave a tip. Are you guys at La Casina serious about this? You hit my daughter in the head, she didn't sleep all night, she left bleeding, and you ask me for tip?? Now I regret for not calling the police and refuse to pay!! The next day we found out that the manager Matis hired his girlfriend that night as a waitress for extra money. This is why he tried to minimize the horrible behavior and incident he basically caused by getting in someone inexperienced. I would like to speak with Mimi and ask for the 2 of them, Matis and His waitress girlfriend to pay my bill. Plain and simple!! It's not just food that matters, how to treat your (US) customers as well..

As said by others, you have described a horrible experience. I'm so sorry to read of it because not only is it a terrible comment on the business, but also I like and enjoy La Casina very much. Understanding that an "accident" can happen, it nonetheless appears that the restaurant let you down in numerous ways. I expect that there'll be follow-up to you from the restaurant.

With regard to the "tip" request . . . I fully appreciate your distress. It sounds, however like it was the first screen on the systems of many credit card providers on the island. I've discussed my personal dislike of the screen with various restaurants and my usual taxi driver . . . it seems that it is mandatory in the systems of some island credit card providers and cannot be circumvented (apart from the guest simply hitting "No Tip") -- an explanation that is, unfortunately, not (as it should be) explained to customers. (The "tip screen," BTW, seems to be a directive of some French taxing authority which is seeking to capture amounts paid in tips in order to assure that businesses are properly reporting tips for tax purposes.)

Finally, I will add that Mathis' "girlfriend" is not inexperienced and often serves there as a waitress. I always have found her to be courteous and appropriately professional. Nonetheless, the accident involving her -- and the way in which it was addressed (or not) -- were horrible. Training with respect to such circumstances clearly is needed.

. . . with regret to you and your daughter for this terrible experience. I hope that your daughter is able to otherwise remember happy times in her SBH visit.

 

[Denise2026]

What an absolute horrible experience. I am shocked they did not try and do anything about this.

I agree, I am shocked as well.. thank you!

 

[Denise2026]

As said by others, you have described a horrible experience. I'm so sorry to read of it because not only is it a terrible comment on the business, but also I like and enjoy La Casina very much. Understanding that an "accident" can happen, it nonetheless appears that the restaurant let you down in numerous ways. I expect that there'll be follow-up to you from the restaurant.

With regard to the "tip" request . . . I fully appreciate your distress. It sounds, however like it was the first screen on the systems of many credit card providers on the island. I've discussed my personal dislike of the screen with various restaurants and my usual taxi driver . . . it seems that it is mandatory in the systems of some island credit card providers and cannot be circumvented (apart from the guest simply hitting "No Tip") -- an explanation that is, unfortunately, not (as it should be) explained to customers. (The "tip screen," BTW, seems to be a directive of some French taxing authority which is seeking to capture amounts paid in tips in order to assure that businesses are properly reporting tips for tax purposes.)

Finally, I will add that Mathis' "girlfriend" is not inexperienced and often serves there as a waitress. I always have found her to be courteous and appropriately professional. Nonetheless, the accident involving her -- and the way in which it was addressed (or not) -- were horrible. Training with respect to such circumstances clearly is needed.

. . . with regret to you and your daughter for this terrible experience. I hope that your daughter is able to otherwise remember happy times in her SBH visit.

Indeed, I agree with you 100%, thank you so much!