I was at Sip and Bite Tuesday evening, for a post-Kooza snack. It was my first time visiting this establishment, so I'm not sure what it was like before the renovation.

When my companion and I walked in, the first thing we noticed was a BLARING juke box. The walls were stark white, and the "dining room" was littered with construction supplies.

After sitting down, I attempted to order a glass of wine or beer since wine and beer were listed in the menu and were also illuminated in the neon signs which are visible from the street. I was told there was no beer or wine. Moving on I ordered a chicken parm sandwich. My companion ordered coffee. His coffee came out lukewarm. The waitress also plunked a plastic soda glass filled with coffee on the table, presumably for refills. After disappearing for 10 minutes, the waitress advised me that they were out of marinara sauce, so no chicken parm sandwich for me. I also overheard other patrons being told that they were out of some other ingredients so their choices were restricted as well. We were also told that we could pay completely in cash or pay for the meal by credit card and then tip in cash.

Every bit of our experience was disgraceful. I would be EMBARASSED to own this restaurant. The place was still under construction and a mess. If you are not ready to be open, don't be open. I don't have an explanation to why we were subjected to horrible pop music. Don't advertise that you have wine and beer if you don't have it. (Not sure what the explantion is there, none was provided.) Further, have your restaurant stocked with the proper supplies to feed your patrons according to the menu. Don't serve coffee in a plastic soda glass. That's just embarassing and crass. And when have you ever paid for a meal by card but had to tip in cash? That's ridiculous. They must be too cheap to tip out their servers.

Here's what it comes down to... There's a recession going on and people have lots of choices. Don't rip me off by providing an utterly pathetic dining experience. My Sip and Bite experience was on par for what I'd expect in a third-world country, with the coffee in the soda glass taking the proverbial cake. I will be telling everyone I know NOT to go there, because I feel that providing this kind of experience, management is signaling that they think the consumer is a FOOL.