Conery W.
Yelp
This is a review for the TWO HUNDRED DOLLAR /person (plus a tip they add regardless of party size) 2024 Thanksgiving buffet. I gave a very generous two stars because the staff was great.
TL;DR: Food was sub par, the whole experience was chaos from the start and the buffet setup made it an awkward chore to get food.
First the good. The staff were all very nice and attentive. Joe served us and made sure our glasses were never lacking prosecco, which was included. He made conversation with us and other tables. Empty dishes were never left on our table for very long; the staff worked well as a team. The views are obviously the big draw and they do not disappoint. The sunset was a main attraction. If you were able to see it; I was in minute 20 of the buffet line when it happened.
Now for the rest.
Before this very expensive dinner, I called the hotel to see about adding a friend to our party of two. The man who answered the phone was rather short from the start. He informed me that the bar wasn't open. I told him it was about a reservation and he said it wasn't a restaurant and they don't take reservations. I explained that it was for the Thanksgiving buffet and he said, he could transfer me, but that no one was there so I would have to leave a message. I expected a better class of service from such a high end hotel, not to be told there was no one to help me which ended up not being the case. He transferred me and instead of voicemail, a very nice woman answered. She informed me that there had been cancellations and that I could add a third right then, but likely would not have that option tomorrow.
On Thanksgiving, we three arrived early so we could check out the hotel lobby, which was decorated for Christmas and lovely as always. The process was total chaos. No one was directing people to the appropriate area. A line formed for the elevators that would eventually take us to the Top of the Mark. Hotel guests didn't know why there was a line for the elevators so several of them just got in line. I discovered that there was a tiny table with an employee hidden by the elevator line which turned out to be the place to check in for the dinner (they gave me a scrap of paper with name and party number on it for entry - tres chic). Once we checked in, our party joined the elevator queue. I helped newcomers and hotel guests sort out what was happening so guests could get to the elevators to go to their rooms and dinner people could get checked in - a requirement for getting upstairs. No staff directing people for this event and no signage you could see until you were standing at the check in table.
Once 4PM came, we were allowed to go up in one elevator in small groups. Once upstairs, we joined another line to be seated. We were seated at a nice table with a great view and immediately given water and prosecco. The prosecco didn't seem expensive or fancy, but it was very tasty. There was no mention of any other beverage options, but luckily we were happy with water and wine. Joe told us that it was a buffet and we were welcome to head up when we were ready. Cue additional chaos.
The buffet setup was terrible. The first thing you see are the two dessert tables on either side of the 4 steps leading up to the buffet. Up those steps was the only other separated food, the dim sum table. The shumai and shrimp dumplings were all that remained when I tried it, likely because it was the easiest thing to get to. Both were tasty. Past that table is where the rest of the food was setup - in one big circle with no discernible starting point. There was no staff leading guests to the appropriate start of the line because there wasn't one. It was like Ouroboros, no beginning and no end.
You had to find a plate, nestled off to one side of the buffet circle and then it was every person for themselves. You had no choice but to "cut in front of someone" to start your food journey. It was very crowded and uncomfortable and SLOW. At one point there was a rogue second line that formed outside the main line, maybe to try and sneak in some vegetables after they had been to the carving station (also a part of the big wheel of food). If you wanted meat AND veg, it meant spending a good 15-20 minutes waiting while everyone in front of you served themselves or waited to be served made to order pasta, carved meat, or caviar. If you wanted one particular item, you were basically out of luck and waiting to make it around the whole table meant your first selections were cold. I've never had caviar, so I had questions. Sadly the person dishing it out had no answers.
None of the food was very good. The prime rib was underseasoned and the turkey was dry. The garlic mashed potatoes smelled like garlic, but tasted like nothing. The only vegetables were brussels sprouts, only dregs remained when I made it there. Everything was lacking salt or seasoning other than the moroccan lamb loin - the best dish of the night.
An expensive disappointment.
