Eating Too Slow While Black in Florida
Black Patrons Kicked Out While Owner’s Son Lies About the Reason
The DoveCote restaurant is located in the Bank of America Bldg, known as 390 North in Orlando, FL, at 390 N. Orange Ave. Suite #110 on the first floor. Until recently, I lived in Orlando for over thirty years and once banked in the same building as the DoveCote restaurant. That’s why I can say with certainty that their website lies when they say they are next to several destinations like the Amway Center (home of the Orlando Magic), Dr. Phillips Performing Arts Center, Orlando City Soccer Stadium, and other downtown landmarks.
“Conveniently located next to the Amway Center, Dr. Phillips Art Center, Orlando City Soccer Stadium, and other downtown landmarks.”
The buildings mentioned are all within reasonable walking distance for a non-disabled person. The actual sites next door include the central bus station, a few small restaurants, other office buildings, and the Orange County Courthouse. I say this to say the truth sometimes eludes DoveCote, as it has in this instance.
On September 16, 2023, a group of five professional people, four of whom were Black, went to DoveCote, where they went to dine and take in a performance of Take 5, who was entertaining there. Reservations were made online by the group a month earlier, and DoveCote had a reputation as a fine restaurant.
Sometime between an hour and an hour and a half into their seating. The group was approached by several police officers who said the manager demanded they leave because they had exceeded the 90-minute time limit for dining at DoveCote.
The patrons had no issue with the police officers and praised their professionalism. The officers explained because it was private property, the party had no choice but to leave, but the officers would leave first so it wouldn’t look like they were being escorted out.
The party interacted with the restaurant staff, including the hostess, waiter, and servers. Everything was cordial, and the party had already paid $600 towards their bill and had placed orders for additional drinks. There was no hint of an issue and no mention of a time limit until the police arrived at the request of the owner’s son, Kyle Tazioli. Tazioli told other guests the couple was being kicked out because they couldn’t pay their bill.
When the reservation was made in August, there was no information about the alleged 90-minute time limit. It wasn’t mentioned when the group was seated, when they ordered their food and drinks, or at any point until the police demanded they leave. The owner, Rob Tazoili, requested contact information for the patrons after the Roland Martin video came out, but he never reached out. The group is reviewing a list of lawyers to reach them and contacted the Mayor’s office to file a complaint.
Ironically, DoveCote accused their landlord of discrimination two years ago. Claiming they were being evicted because they hosted events targeting Black and Hispanic guests. They hired civil rights attorney Ben Crump to represent them. I suspect he won’t be representing DoveCote in this matter.
Others have represented they have never seen any suggestion of a time limit at DoveCote and that another group of Black diners was thrown out that night for exceeding the time limit. I tried making reservations for a group of five but was unable to for any date.
I formerly thought of Orlando as being more civil than other parts of Florida, including where I currently live. I go to Orlando on average once a month for various reasons and have, on occasion, sought out fine dining. Best believe DoveCote won’t be on my list.
