1717 Kitchen + Cocktails

"I normally go to Club 1717 at The Queen on Friday evenings for the live entertainment, a cocktail, and a little something to eat. Things were fine until 2/23/24. I guess because of the huge following of the band, management saw an opportunity to make plenty of money. The advertisement for that night went from free entry as usual with some reservation with no set time to come to a complete MONEY over EVERYTHING opportunity. EVERY seat was reserved and more than half of the bar seats were taken away. Reserve seats went from $70 on up $200 plus. Only 50 people were allowed in for general admission (free) for standing room only. Please note -This was not advertised. No one was allowed to enter until 8:00 because the band was not set to perform until 9. The line was awful and no regards for the older people. All of this would have been fine IF this was advertised as a concert and not the normal event for entertainment on Fridays. The particular band for that night has played at NUMEROUS local clubs and sport bars where food and drinks are sold as well. The public loves them and so do I, BUT the cover charge has ranged from $10-$20 with always space to sit and some reserve spots. I see the upcoming calendar of events has placed prices for tickets for the entertainment. The entertainment prices ranges from $0 - $700. It depends on the ENTERTAINMENT and the table setup. Ticket prices for “the popular” bands are the targeted group to make the money. The popular groups normal play R&B, blues, soulful jazz with modern and old school R&B mixed. The country or less popular is basically free. My suggestions: If you’re going to start doing concerts and have folks pay $70 and up, have a line-up of artists like venues such as Raising Cane Center, Plaquemine Center, Southern University Mini-dome, etc. In fact there’s an All White Blues Concert at the mini-dome on Easter where tickets range from $70 on up to $800 (tables of 8). NO ONE is standing and there is a line-up of local artists who the public have grown to love and enjoy seeing them on a larger stage. If you want to make more money and give similar entertainment like Ruffins, Chelsea’s and other sport bars, and smaller venues, have a set cover charge. Offer SOME reserve seating, but have seats for the majority of your patrons who are coming hear their favorite LOCAL band perform the music of artists that they only would get to see at a concert. Make a decision and stick with it. Keep in mind that same band that was set for your entertainment that night performs locally every single week for night clubs where patrons may pay $10 to $20 for entry and have a wonderful time dancing, drinking, and eating with more seats available to them."

"I highly DO NOT RECOMMEND! I booked this place for my 21st birthday dinner , I made reservations two months prior , I ignored the bad google reviews and still gave the place a chance, when I made it to dinner the restaurant failed to tell me at 8pm there is a limited menu that only have 4 things on the menu. So I had to take my whole party of 15 to another restaurant, we ordered one round of drinks they were terrible! Left them there Please don’t waste your money or time here it’s not worth it."

"Ordered drinks. Then later ordered my food. It took an extremely long time for the food to arrived. The. Two glasses of wine we ordered before our food got to the table once we were almost done eating."

"01.21.24 I happened to go to this restaurant by default. I was headed to shaq Big Chicken, but wanted a restaurant setting instead. Upon entrance I was impressed by the atmosphere and the secluded look. The waitress was pleasant and very comforting. I ordered a Arnold Palmer and it was awful. Too much Minute Maid lemonade, replace with a coke with had no carbonation. Then I ordered the Tuscan Chicken $20 comes in a cast iron skillet and a Caesar salad (nice size I think it’s $12). The salad was awful. A plate full of dry lettuce. Had to request for more dressing and cheese. When the entree arrived OMG the pasta was watery and the chicken breast tasted like it came off a dirty grill (not the words I used at the restaurant tho). the waitress was very cooperative in removing the items from the bill. Also I ordered a rum punch and again Omg. Didn’t have a rum punch taste or resemblance. I would have gave the food no stars because this was awful. I tipped the waitress and left. I ended up going home and eat a grill cheese sandwich after paying for what I thought would have been my dinner. By the way I did voice that i like to review restaurants and give accolade where they are due. If the chef that is working there as of January 2024 still there when you visit. Take heed. I hope the chef reads the reviews and better him/herself so the food service can improve. Restaurant looks to nice for this food service. Also for the prices as well. For my coins I want palate worthy food."

"I just left this place. The atmosphere was nice. The waitress was nice, but the food was awful. I ordered the seafood fettuccine. when the fettuccine came out it was red. It wasn’t season well it was bland. It was like the water that, they boil the shrimp in ,was the same water.for the noodles. The drinks were not good. The fountain drinks wasn’t good either. It was like they needed to be changed out, I never been to a place, where everything you ordered wasn’t good. This was an awful experience. The supervisor walked up to the table. She didn’t let us, know who she was. She just walked up and stated were you looking for me. I’m looking like who are you? She said you had a complaint . That wasn’t professional at all. She also stated that other customers were complaining about this same dish, that I ordered. She also stated that the chef was new, but he look like he have experience. I would not recommend anyone to go there and waste their money."