A couple of folks passed along this food blogger's restaurant review of a recent visit to Oceana in New York. The verdict? The food was great... but "Chubby Chinese Girl" couldn't help noticing that the hostess had the peculiar practice of seating all the Asian patrons to the rear of the restaurant: OCEANA: Asians eat at the back... How RACIST!!! A rear dining room ghetto -- for Asians!
There were comfortable looking booths with marine themed tapestry couches along the way, I though we were being taken to. But as we followed the hostess further and further away, by passing an seemingly empty main dining room (about 40% full with non asians, maybe one asian mixed into a all white table), she opens a door and enter "the other" dining room. My first reaction was that of an "color blind" customer. Thought to myself, maybe this is more quiet or private!? Even though it looked so plain.The restaurant gets a 3 out of 4 for the food, but gets a negative score for being racist. Read about her experience here.
It wasn't until my date had also noticed that we took a good look around. It was way too obvious and I had to that a picture, even though I don't usually whip out my camera on a date. So the waiter didn't capture the dining area on my right, behind me... there were 2 more tables of asians. While the main dining room outside looked really white (sorry I don't mean it that way, but I'm trying to make a point here, so don't get all sensitive on me please)... maybe we didn't match the blue and white color scheme of the decor?
From my seat I could see the empty tables outside, with comfortable looking couches, empty with no one to sit on. We were tempted to ask for another table, or make a non-friendly remark (you know me, I couldn't resist) but we figured, this is where they thought we belonged and we didn't want to mess with the people who had the power to spit in our food. Yes, we could of walked out, but for the most part, we were shocked and in disbelief. Or just making up reasons, like maybe we weren't dressy enough? or we didn't specify to sit in the main dining room when making our reservation? or we were magically transported to Chinatown? This sure was an experience. Honesty, you can't tell me this was all just a "coincidence" and we were just too sensitive. I might be naive sometimes, but I don't buy that!
So what's up with that, Oceana? Why were all the Asians relegated to the back room? The restaurant manager claims it's all just a coincidence: Does Oceana Have a Racist Restaurant Week Back Room Just for Asians? Chubby calls it B.S.