Delvina Z
Google
Christmas Dinner at Pasola
Let’s start with the first impression — because unfortunately, it matters.
We arrived and were greeted by a host who was on the phone and completely ignored us. When she finally acknowledged us, she asked for my reservation. I explained that I had changed my phone number, so I didn’t receive or confirm the call. Her response? Delivered in a tone that made it sound as if I simply… wouldn’t be allowed to eat.
I had to ask, “Okay, but do you still have a table for us?”
Only then did she say yes.
We were then seated at the furthest table from the buffet, despite the restaurant still being largely empty. Not exactly the Christmas welcome one expects from a Ritz-Carlton dining experience.
Now — here’s the twist.
Despite that horrendous front-of-house moment, the rest of the evening was surprisingly excellent. The service team inside the restaurant was attentive, warm, and genuinely professional. Plates were cleared promptly, drinks refilled without asking, and the staff actually made us feel taken care of. The food? Fantastic. Well-executed, abundant, and worthy of a festive dinner.
Which makes the initial interaction even more disappointing.
When everything else runs at this level, the host stands out for all the wrong reasons. First impressions set the tone, and in this case, it nearly ruined the experience before it began. Frankly, the host needs to be retrained — or replaced.
Pasola has the food, the service, and the potential to deliver a beautiful Christmas dining experience. But luxury isn’t just what’s on the plate — it’s how you’re made to feel the moment you walk in.
Do better at the door.
