New York's Paramount Hotel Launches Headshots For a Handout

I spoke with Diane today, who was most apologetic and assured me she will look into the matter. Thanks for your support and good luck!!!

Candice Holdorf
www.candiceholdorf.com

2006-12-07 Candice Holdorf

I got a phone call from Paramount's Diane Smith, 212.827.4198 apologizing for the treatment. You might want to contact her. For sure, I will give her the bartender's name you mentioned. I paid in cash and fled without leaving a tip and told him why.

2006-12-06 Renee Levitt

Dear Renee (and all who are affiliated with Paramount Hotel),

I too was treated with nothing but disdain and contempt when I arrived with my professional headshot last evening, December 5, at 8pm for the "under 5" deal at Paramount Hotel. However, I DID call to make a reservation a week and a half ago. I was told that reservations were not being taken for that night, but that I should arrive and the staff would have no problem finding me a seat for dinner. However, when I arrived, I was told by the host in the pink shirt that they were booked. I mentioned to him that I was told that no reservations were required. He then used another tactic, saying the wait would be at least an hour. I told him "No problem." Again, he stammered and in a flustered manner declared there was nothing he could do. I suggested that my husband and I could eat our meal at the empty bar. Again, he worked his hardest to dissuade me before blurting out "Just go sit down at the end [of the bar]."

As I waited for my husband, the patronizing bartender (Andrew K, according to my bill) reluctantly rattled off the wine list and then tossed my Chianti in front of me. When my husband arrived, he poured him the same thing, then immidiately gave us the check. Wow, this guy really did not want to serve us. As we sat with our drinks, I saw the host talking with the two bartenders, very obviously about the pain we were causing.

After waiting 45 minutes, I saw two older ladies arrive and speak to the waitress. They did not have reservations, however, they were seated immidiately. I asked the waitress (the only kind and decent member of the staff) why we could not be seated in the supposedly "full" dining room. She said that they weren't seating the "under 5" people because special priority needed to be given to the hotel guests. Oh, OK, so as someone spending money in your bar, I am not considered a guest?

That ended it for me. My husband (already tired of this hotel's "bait and switch" method) paid for the drinks and we then proceeded to a local Italian place, where we left a $15 tip for our waitress.

All in all, I had a lovely evening with my husband. But it was no thanks to Paramount Hotel. I don't demand to be treated as more important than any other human in this world, but I do demand to be treated humanely.

Renee, I empathize, and I too will not stand to be cast aside as a second class citizen in this city. It's hard enough as it is to make a respectable living here, and we don't need our diginity trampled upon by an uppity maitre d' and his entourage.

In all sincerity,
Candice Holdorf
www.candiceholdorf.com

2006-12-06 Candice Holdorf

I sent this to Paramount after last night's treatment.

Dear Mr. Purbeck, Mr.Kozlowski and the bartender at the mezzanine,

You, Mr. Purbeck and the bartender in the mezzanine bar at the Paramount, NYC were extremely rude to me last night - Monday, December 5, 2006, when I showed up for dinner without a reservation, with my headshot at around 8:30 PM and waited at the bar for my friend to arrive. This attitude and treatment could kill Paramount-NYC with bad word-of-mouth advertising.

I checked out Paramount's $5 program and found this link on your Paramount website at http://www.nycparamount.com/press/headshots-for-handout.html

Paramount Hotel Launches "Headshots For A Handout"

Famed Hotel in heart of Theatre District supports Starving Artists with $5 menu in exchange for Headshots

New York, NY October 2, 2006
The Paramount Hotel, a favorite hangout of the Broadway Theatre Community, is giving starving artists a different kind of hand by offering thespians a hugely discounted menu on the 5th of every month.

Celebrating the Under 5 Rule (actors whose parts are five lines or less) the hotel will be offering a special three-course menu for $5 in its Mezzanine Restaurant in exchange for actors currency - the headshot. Beginning October 5th, thespians awaiting their big break can eat like a star at bargain prices when rent is due and funds are tight friends may be brought along for just $10.

The Paramount Hotel, due to its close proximity to The Great White Way, has always been a haven for artists working in and around Broadway, said Kevin Kozlowski, Director of Operations for Paramount Hotel. We wanted to give actors who live in New York City, and those visiting from all around the world, a break while they are trying for their big break.

Headshots for a Handout at the Paramount Hotel will run through the end of the year and actors are required to show a professionally taken headshot to obtain the discount. Headshots collected will be displayed in the Paramount Hotel Bar.

You refused to seat me for dinner because, though there were tables available, I didn't have a reservation. There is no mention of a required reservation on your website.

I don't understand your motivation for the rough treatment I got last night. I advise you to change your attitude. We creative people are suffering enough in many ways. We don't need to be lead to more suffering because of your public relations campaigns that make money for you.

We have access to media too. And we're going to use it to prevent other "starving artists" from becoming "starving artists who are suffering more because of you"

You probably have lawyers on staff who check your PR. I suggest that you also have an artist to help you know how strategies and their possible execution could feel.

I assume that last night's fiasco is the last one since your blurb indicates that "Headshot for a Handout" is over at the end of the year. This makes me feel even worse about last night because generosity with class one more night wouldn't have killed you.

2006-12-06 Renee Levitt