Aj B.
Yelp
The ambiance was terrible , literally swarmed by gnats-fruit flies that were large - so large and aggressive l. I killed two where I sat in the booth . One I killed on the table and the second midair. My party was three, my husband and I were joined by our building contractor who invited us . The restaurant had two parties seated - each of 6 or more upon our arrival. Our server greeted us in passing otw to another table. Perhaps 20 minutes later he stopped at our table to greet us with an armful of dirty dishes. I was uncomfortable to tell him to put the dirty dishes away and then return, but I was okay because I was more disgusted. Note, we are still fighting gnats. Our contractor asked what did I swing at and I replied I think just lint (I didn't want to embarrass him) and he embarrassingly said, no it's the gnats . He apologized for the experience because he boasted at this being a favorite dining experience as he and my husband discussed the Wagu steak (menu item) cattle being raised in Japan or maybe this one was from Reidsville Ga or Texas. The waiter arrived now about 7 minutes later and took water orders (sparkling and distilled) that never - ever - even arrived . We were not provided water only the alcohol beverages we ordered . Oh yea, we gave our water glasses to the server because they were soiled and never received new glasses or water. Note, I'm not pleased giving this long review, but it's a must as we expected a fine dining experience. My two lobster tails were 99$ and each of the 2 Wagu steaks were totaled over $200. Oh yea another thing, they were out of bread but provided six small squares of hard bread that looked like parker rolls. And no the bread was not warm. The salads arrived - green, Caesar and shrimp cocktail - all good. But the gnats and then I look over my shoulder tracking a gnat I a observed grossly dusty baking drop of our booth. Now, you probably can't really believe this - you know fine dining at The Palms - a lot of dust, gnats, soiled water glasses, no water, hard rolls (out of usual rolls), server forgot water the entire time. Now, as we attempt to enjoy our food that did not have any flair of a presentation and talk business, Wagu steaks, the gnats attack and I kill one surprisingly and it's stuck to my palm. I can't believe I caught it. I just swung it away - I thought and opened my hand -and there it was - smashed with blood just in time for the server to stop by and he said let me get you an antibacterial wipe for your hands. I appreciated the gesture but I just could not enjoy the company or meal. I dreadfully asked for a manager. She arrived and I told her of the gnat attacks, killing and dust. She said the gnats come from outdoors - huhhh. I just didn't have the energy but showed her the mounted dishes where I sat and she offere a wet wipe to dust it off. I told her it would spread the dust and she said not with a damp cloth - yes this really is happening . Okay to offer our next round of drinks on her, but we didn't ask for anything but just a comfortable and pleasant dining experience. Our bill was over $600 and we expected it so but with the horrible and unsettling ambiance it should have been $60. Yes, we ordered dessert because it was also my husbands birthday but I asked to moved to a floor table to get away from the dust, because I began to cough but wanted my husband to have cake and ice cream. Now I'm coughing alot, I know it's from dust being in my throat . We are at a new table, I see someone seated at the booth we left that was not dusted (should I have warned the lady?), I didn't she likely would have thought it was absurd. I'm coughing and we are reminded again that we never received water we ordered . Oh well, I settled for tap water and we left.
This review is in order because a manager or general manager should care about our terrible and exhausting service, ambiance and opinion.
What has happened to The Palms. The staff clearly do not have expectations of the restaurant. The chocolate cake was delicious. I did not have any fond memories being the overall experience annoyed me to the max.