Yo, Mel ..
Yelp
Been meaning to write this review for a while. One reason I held off was that I didn't want to leave a review at all. I wanted to speak with someone at the restaurant. I left messages twice, but never hit a return call.
I've eaten here 3x - December birthday dinner for 2, March birthday brunch for 6, and a Sunday evening 65th birthday dinner (for an out-of-town visitor) for 6. Let me start by saying:
THE FOOD IS EXCELLENT. Hot, beautiful, perfectly cooked. The view is fantastic and the inside of the restaurant is (a bit dated, but) beautifully decorated.
However, everything else is not, hence the 3 star review.
For starters: if valet is required, raise your prices so that the restaurant can pay the valet. Getting hit with an $8 fee at a cashless restaurant is stupid. Let me park my own car, or cover the valet free.
I have had reservations all three times I've visited, and all three times it has gone exactly the same: I walk up to the desk and say, "Hi. My whole party is here for our reservation." And all three times they've said to me, "Please stand over here." and left us standing and waiting for AT LEAST 15 minutes. (Regardless of the number of hostesses at the stand, and there have always been 2.) Why? I have a reservation. My table should be ready, and the only 2 acceptable replies are some version of, "Welcome, follow me please." Or, "One moment, please. When the other hostess gets back she'll take you to your table." and there shouldn't be a wait.
Seating was fine on the first 2 visits, and service was acceptable.
The last visit (July 27) is what triggered this review. The restaurant was far from full on a Sunday night, and after standing around and waiting, we were led to a smallish (for the size of our party) round table, which was against the stairs that led into the room, and was wobbly. Moments after being seated we decided that we were too uncomfortable there considering the number of open tables, so we asked to be moved. We were asked if a table outside was acceptable, and we agreed. (Although it was a bit warm, and there were MANY open tables inside.) Instead of leaving us there until the new table was ready, they had us get up and wait some more before reseating us on the patio outside the bar. That's where things went really awry.
I don't know if our server was new, but the timing on EVERYTHING was off. Too long between appetizers and entrees. All 6 entrees did not arrive together (first we got 4, and the last 2 arrived ten minutes later.) Never checked on us after entree arrival. Hubby had to seek assistance at least twice during the meal. Nobody's glass was kept full, and most of the party was just drinking water. I was drinking iced tea. When the waiter finally came to refill glasses, he just poured over the table instead of lifting the glass to the pitcher alongside the table so that the people in my party didn't get splashed - which they did. When the server got to me, he asked if I wanted a refill, and took the glass and walked away for another 5+ minutes before returning. He never finished filling the water glasses for the rest of the party, and did not ask Hubby if he wanted another beer.
Made it to dessert (a $35 cake from Porto's) and when we were done, we asked for the box. Server said he would handle it. Not sure what he did, but see photos for what the cake looked like when I opened the box at home. (No, it did not slide in the car. See photos.)
Lastly, my reservation was for 6:15, and we did not get our check (we had to hunt down the server to get it AND to pay it) until 8:26. For a restaurant that greets you with a sign that says you only have 90 minutes to eat, service should be able to be completed in that time. (It drew a comment from another member of our party.)
PLEASE BE AWARE: an 18% gratuity is added for large parties, but when they bring you the check to sign, it still includes a line to add a tip.
I've heard it said that good food can't make up for bad service, and in this case, I agree.
