February 12th, 2008, 21:19
Here is the reply from one of the owners of Manhattans. I appreciate his reply.
Hi ........ Thanks for your email. Unfortunately, like so many other people you have heard wrong & malicious information. To answer your question of more affordable meals the evening service will remain the same possibly with the cutting out of the service charge and leaving tipping to customer discretion. We want to introduce a cheaper set menu in the early part of the evening, we're thinking from 5pm to 7pm and a bit later we'd like to introduce a Sunday lunch or brunch which will be cheaper than the current evening meals. Regarding our general manager who has now left, Tom was instrumental, along with Dave and myself, the owners, in setting up Manhattans. We knew Tom was gay when we hired him. Neither of us are homophobic. I liked Tom, and still do. We worked very closely together in making Manhattans what it is and could not have done it without his high level of professionalism. We both hold him in very high regard.
It would be unethical of me to detail the reason for Tom's leaving in an email.
But I can clarify with all honesty it was not for the reason that Tom was gay, or that he built up a gay clientele, or that we were too gay friendly, or that we had too many gay waiters.
In fact it was nothing to do with anything gay at all. I am very sorry that a lot of people feel that way.
We don't run our restaurant with peoples sexuality being an issue.
All who come to Manhattans are welcome. I hope this clarifies things.
Hi ........ Thanks for your email. Unfortunately, like so many other people you have heard wrong & malicious information. To answer your question of more affordable meals the evening service will remain the same possibly with the cutting out of the service charge and leaving tipping to customer discretion. We want to introduce a cheaper set menu in the early part of the evening, we're thinking from 5pm to 7pm and a bit later we'd like to introduce a Sunday lunch or brunch which will be cheaper than the current evening meals. Regarding our general manager who has now left, Tom was instrumental, along with Dave and myself, the owners, in setting up Manhattans. We knew Tom was gay when we hired him. Neither of us are homophobic. I liked Tom, and still do. We worked very closely together in making Manhattans what it is and could not have done it without his high level of professionalism. We both hold him in very high regard.
It would be unethical of me to detail the reason for Tom's leaving in an email.
But I can clarify with all honesty it was not for the reason that Tom was gay, or that he built up a gay clientele, or that we were too gay friendly, or that we had too many gay waiters.
In fact it was nothing to do with anything gay at all. I am very sorry that a lot of people feel that way.
We don't run our restaurant with peoples sexuality being an issue.
All who come to Manhattans are welcome. I hope this clarifies things.