"WARNING"

I'd like to share a comprehensive account of our recent experience at Chases for the benefit of potential customers. My wife and I made a reservation at Chases to celebrate our anniversary. We were required to pay a non-refundable booking fee upfront. However, upon arriving at the restaurant, it became immediately apparent that the seating arrangements were uncomfortably tight. We requested to be seated at a 2-top table in the bar area for more space.

Upon reviewing the menu, it became clear that Chases leans more towards being a tapas bar rather than a full-fledged restaurant. Despite this realization, we decided to stay, not wanting to forfeit the booking deposit. I opted for the Lamb Lollipops, while my wife ordered the Braised Beef Tostadas. To complement our meal, we each ordered a glass of wine.

When our wine arrived, we were taken aback by the scant pour in our glasses. It was evident that the server struggled to discern the appropriate pour line. It's worth noting that the wine glasses at Chases seemed to be the smallest I've ever encountered in Fredericksburg, with an estimated capacity of around 250ml. To provide context, a standard wine bottle holds 25oz of wine, equivalent to four glasses. Simple math suggests a pour of approximately 6.25oz per serving. However, what we received appeared to be closer to 3-4oz per glass, leaving us feeling disappointed with the value.

The evening's disappointments continued with our food orders. The Braised Beef Tostadas arrived first, and they were not only undercooked but also failed to impress in terms of flavor and presentation. The Lamb Lollipops, which arrived later, were also severely undercooked and lacked both quantity and quality. I managed to take only two bites before deciding to return the dish.

By the time the replacement lamb dish was brought out, my wife and I were ready to move on from the experience altogether. However, our intention to leave was met with the manager's displeasure. He insisted that we pay for the recooked lamb, despite our dissatisfaction. I respectfully disagreed, explaining that we couldn't take the dish with us. The situation escalated as he reached for my credit card, prompting me to assert my decision to leave.

At this point, another staff member physically blocked my departure, asserting that I had to stay. The matter escalated further, leading to the management calling the police and filing a false report, accusing me of attempting to "dine & dash." Thankfully, upon the police's arrival, they swiftly recognized the nature of the dispute as a civil issue. They advised the manager to rectify the situation.

Ultimately, the corrected bill was presented, and I chose to pay for it out of sympathy for Chases' supposed financial constraints, even though our experience had been disheartening. I also left a 15% tip. Despite this unfortunate incident, I must note that I had a wonderful meal at Hill & Vine and enjoyed my time at Vaudeville.

In conclusion, my intention in sharing this detailed review is to provide potential patrons with a candid account of my experience at Chases. While some positive aspects were present, the overall encounter was marred by a series of disappointments that culminated in an unfortunate confrontation with the management. It's my hope that both the management of Chases and future customers can benefit from this feedback to ensure a more positive dining experience for all parties involved.

Aug. 22, 2023