Ellen's Stardust Diner

Confession. This restaurant is not really in Madison. And by not really I mean not at all. But I recently went there while meeting a friend in NYC, and the experience was so entertaining I felt the need to share. Overall, let me just say I am GLAD such a place does not exist in Madison.

At first, it just looked like a fun glitzy diner in the heart of time's square. I waited outside for my friend Meredith and after a "it's SO good to see you!!!" hug we went inside and sat down. No one really noticed. Especially the wait staff. They were too busy singing and dancing on tables. Seriously. After a minute, one of the staff grabbed the mic and said something to the extent of "This is no regular diner. Because besides serving you food we also entertain you!" Panic starts to ensue for both of us. "We are all theater, acting or singing students here in New York and we are putting our talents to work here for all of you!" Oh. dear.

And they did. Though talents might be a wildly generous term. They alternated singly- loudly and on top of your table. Then they passed around an obnoxious tip jar. Then they sang AGAIN! But hey, at least they took requests. Finally we flagged down someone to give us menus and take our orders. The flagging had to continue as we rudely interrupted the show several times.

Here's the thing. This might have been a fun experience for someone with "deer-in-the-headlights-first-time-in-the-big-city" syndrome but for two friends trying to catch up it went from annoying to just hilarious :).

We had a good time- I mean, we were together we talked over the singing, and we made the best of it. But i have never been to a restaurant with quite so much stimulation. Not sure who Ellen is but she should consider less stardust and more customer service training.