Kindal's promotes themselves as the 'New Soul Food Cafe' with a Summer Sunset Series of concerts and Sunset Brunch. I went to the Thursday nite grand opening and although a bit unorganized, it wasn't unreasonable. The ambiance was very nice, upscale, decor and the opening line up was impressive. They had comedians, artists (Lyfe Jennings) and a jazz band lineup for the evening. They had tables in the center of the floor with a 2 hr limit and 2 drink per person limit. However no one was asked to leave the tables after 2hrs, so the crowd was standing room only. Since seating was limited I was unable to order any food, but the service was ok for the overcrowded venue. I wasn't happy about the $10 self parking across the street but parking is limited so it wasn't a big deal.
I booked online tickets for Monica for the following Sunday. During the day I checked their website and even called to try to obtain specific information on seating times for Monica. No answer, the phone rang repeatedly. No updates to their website. Upon arriving at Kindals at approximately 8:30 I knew there was a problem becuase the parking lot was empty. Although it was drizzling outside, there should have been some cars for the concert. After parking and walking to the front entrance we were told that Monica had rescheduled for May 2 and tickets would be honored. Since it was rainy it would have been nice to have someone at the parking lot entrance to advise before getting out of the car. They have people meet you to take the $10 for parking and direct you to valet, but no one mentioned the concert was cancelled or rescheduled.
May 2, after repeated calls to confirm the time the doors opened, (vm said "if you are calling about Monica doors open at 8pm all other calls please call at another time and hung up). We arrived at 8 sharp. There was a line that wrapped around the building and were told doors were not opening until 8:30. We were also advised that those with pre purchased tickets would still have to stand in line with those paying at the door. At 8:45 the line started moving. When we arrived just about to the front of the building a lady, not associated with Kindal's but was just kind enough to not want us to have to wait in line any longer, advised we would need to form a 2nd line by a table sitting in the parking lot to have our tickets verified. Another 30 min wait and we are inside. While standing in this 2nd line I asked a lady with Kindals why the people who were paying at the door got to go inside, and pre purchased ticket holders would not have preference to seating and she told me that seating was not included but would be $100 depending on where we would sit. No where on their website, FB, radio ads, or any other information was it disclosed that seating would run another $100. Monica came onstage at 1:08 and announced someone had run off with the money so she was not performing. Kindal's knew they had not paid her and was taking money at the door for a concert they knew would not be taking place. Then requiring people to stand for 5 hrs or pay to sit down.
Inside we were told that the extensive menu they adverstise was no available and given a xerox copy of their "late nite menu" which included Old school wings with Louisaian hot sauce $7, One topping pizza $10 (it was given to you in the box it was delivered in) Fried catfish/shrimp/angus burger w/cheese and fries ($14). A lady who was in line with us advised they had showed up earlier for the brunch but the doors were closed, parking lot empty and no sign or notice on the door. So where is the menu they advertise for the SUPPER CLUB? The website offers an eclectic menu
This is hearsay but on their FB page a lady won a contest, had an 8pm dinner reservation and seating and when she arrived, they told her the kitchen stopped serving at 8p. And she was never seated. Her comments were if they would have seated her she would have gladly paid for the dinner, even though the contest was bogus. Another FB commenter added that they won the happy hour for last Friday, but was called and told that they didn't have food and would not be able to honor the happy hour event, referring them to Sting in Addison.
Kindal's is no more than a front operating as a business and someone somewhere is banking and laughing their behinds off at the number of people they have been able to con. They are still advertising thier events as if they are operating as an established restaurant and cafe.
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