One Pico @ Shutters on the Beach Hotel in Santa Monica
Establishment: ONE PICO
Location: Santa Monica
I used to work at One Pico right after I graduated from Pepperdine University. It was just a temporary job while I was searching for a position in the field of my major. Let me tell you, the management staff at this restaurant were HORRIBLE to their employees!! They screamed at all of us before every shift, and there wasn’t a single day when I wasn’t in tears. They tried to mentally break us down so that we would act more subservient to the "movie-star" clientele. I was so horrified to be a part of such a terrible company that I left after a few months, before I’d landed the job I sought. Following, I will detail two absolutely ridiculous rules that they had for their employees. First of all, females couldn’t wear any nailpolish even if it was clear or neutral in color. My bare nails are slightly discolored since I’ve worn nailpolish for years, so when I heard about this rule, I went out and purchased a non-glossy NEUTRAL nude color to cover my naturally yellowish nails. I was trying to do a favor for the restaurant and their patrons, but instead, I was cornered by the manager who wanted to know if I’d been raised in a barn. I explained that no, I’d been raised quite well, thankyouverymuch, but she said that anyone who wore nailpolish, regardless of its hue, belonged in a trailer park. Second, my mother came out to visit me from the East Coast and booked a room at the absurdly expensive Shutters on the Beach which houses One Pico restaurant. She performed this kind gesture to sort of get me "points" with the management so they’d ease up on me since I was bringing in business. You know what the management did? They told me that I wouldn’t be able to visit MY OWN MOTHER in the hotel, as restaurant employees are not allowed to set foot outside the restaurant, even in their OFF HOURS! They said that if I were caught visiting her room, sitting with her by the pool, etc., I’d be fired immediately. I’m telling you guys, don’t bother working for this terrible place unless you’re a masochist. The tips aren’t worth it, as you’ll only wait on about three tables per shift, due to their large wait staff. Plus with such pricey bills, the patrons usually don’t tip better than 10%.
If you’re a PATRON, BE FOREWARNED: The food is very average yet OUTRAGEOUSLY OVERPRICED, and the management personnel are EVIL TYRANTS! Do you want your hard-earned money to fund an establishment like that?
Comments
I understand that many places have these rules and regulations…
But first of all they should have brought to your attention when you were hired. and there is no reason to call an employee “trailer trash”. Rules or not - there is no need to be so degrading about it.
NO ONE has the right to be rude to ANYONE about ANY health code rules - BE CIVIL _ LIVE HAPPY - and give good advice not nasty whoever wrote this you sound as bad as those she accuses!!!
I agree that the food (and wine)at One Pico is mediocre- at best, and way too pricey. You’re paying for the view, even though it sits right on the most polluted area of the bay, overlooking the storm drain.
A nail tip… A good buffing will get rid of the yellow and give a nice shine.
most restaurants I’ve worked at don’t allow you to wear nail polish b/c it could chip and land in the food. obviously these folks were dicks about getting that across.